EP1833958A4 - Synthese aus hybridblockcopolymeren und verwendung - Google Patents

Synthese aus hybridblockcopolymeren und verwendung

Info

Publication number
EP1833958A4
EP1833958A4 EP06717363A EP06717363A EP1833958A4 EP 1833958 A4 EP1833958 A4 EP 1833958A4 EP 06717363 A EP06717363 A EP 06717363A EP 06717363 A EP06717363 A EP 06717363A EP 1833958 A4 EP1833958 A4 EP 1833958A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
protected
nitrogen
sulfur
group
oxygen
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06717363A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1833958A2 (de
Inventor
Kurt Breitenkamp
Kevin N Sill
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Intezyne Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Intezyne Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Intezyne Technologies Inc filed Critical Intezyne Technologies Inc
Priority to EP11003113A priority Critical patent/EP2348096A3/de
Priority to EP09156824A priority patent/EP2067801A1/de
Publication of EP1833958A2 publication Critical patent/EP1833958A2/de
Publication of EP1833958A4 publication Critical patent/EP1833958A4/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
    • C08G73/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a linkage containing nitrogen with or without oxygen or carbon in the main chain of the macromolecule, not provided for in groups C08G12/00 - C08G71/00
    • C08G73/02—Polyamines
    • C08G73/0233—Polyamines derived from (poly)oxazolines, (poly)oxazines or having pendant acyl groups
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
    • C08F283/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to polymers provided for in subclass C08G
    • C08F283/06—Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to polymers provided for in subclass C08G on to polyethers, polyoxymethylenes or polyacetals
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
    • C08F293/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerisation on to a macromolecule having groups capable of inducing the formation of new polymer chains bound exclusively at one or both ends of the starting macromolecule
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
    • C08F293/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerisation on to a macromolecule having groups capable of inducing the formation of new polymer chains bound exclusively at one or both ends of the starting macromolecule
    • C08F293/005—Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerisation on to a macromolecule having groups capable of inducing the formation of new polymer chains bound exclusively at one or both ends of the starting macromolecule using free radical "living" or "controlled" polymerisation, e.g. using a complexing agent
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
    • C08F297/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by successively polymerising different monomer systems using a catalyst of the ionic or coordination type without deactivating the intermediate polymer
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
    • C08G73/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a linkage containing nitrogen with or without oxygen or carbon in the main chain of the macromolecule, not provided for in groups C08G12/00 - C08G71/00
    • C08G73/02—Polyamines
    • C08G73/028—Polyamidoamines
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
    • C08L51/00—Compositions of graft polymers in which the grafted component is obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
    • C08L51/08—Compositions of graft polymers in which the grafted component is obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers grafted on to macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving unsaturated carbon-to-carbon bonds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
    • C08L53/00—Compositions of block copolymers containing at least one sequence of a polymer obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of polymer chemistry and more particularly to block copolymers, uses thereof, and intermediates thereto.
  • Multi-block copolymers comprising a synthetic polymer portion and a poly(amino acid) portion are of great synthetic interest.
  • the poly(amino acid) portion of such polymers is typically prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of an amino acid- N-carboxy-anhydride (NC A).
  • NC A amino acid- N-carboxy-anhydride
  • methods for preparing the poly(amino acid) block that employ free amines as initiators of the NCA polymerization afford block copolymers with a wide range of polydispersity indices (PDIs) that tend to be quite high.
  • PDIs polydispersity indices
  • Schlaad reported PDI values of 1.12-1.60 by initiating polymerization with amino-terminated polystyrene.
  • Schlaad (2003 Eur. Chem.
  • the poly(amino acid) portions of these block copolymers are prepared by controlled ring-opening polymerization of cyclic monomers such as N-carboxy anhydrides (NCAs), lactams, and cyclic imides wherein said polymerization is initiated by an amine salt.
  • cyclic monomers such as N-carboxy anhydrides (NCAs), lactams, and cyclic imides wherein said polymerization is initiated by an amine salt.
  • the amine salt initiators used in this invention are polymers with terminal amine salts (referred to herein as "macroinitiators"). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the amine salt reduces or eliminates many side reactions that are commonly observed with traditional polymerization of these reactive monomers. This leads to block copolymers with narrow distributions of block lengths and molecular weights.
  • one aspect of the present invention provides a method for preparing a multi-block copolymer comprising two or more different poly(amino acid) blocks and one or more synthetic polymer blocks, wherein said method comprises the step of sequentially polymerizing two or more different cyclic amino acid monomers onto a synthetic polymer having a terminal amine salt wherein said polymerization is initiated by said amine salt.
  • sequential polymerization refers to the method wherein, after a first monomer (e.g. NCA, lactam, or imide) is incorporated into the polymer, thus forming an amino acid "block", a second monomer (e.g. NCA, lactam, or imide) is added to the reaction to form a second amino acid block, which process may be continued in a similar fashion to introduce additional amino acid blocks into the resulting multi-block copolymers.
  • a first monomer e.g. NCA, lactam, or imide
  • block copolymer refers to a polymer comprising at least one synthetic polymer portion and at least one poly(amino acid) portion.
  • multi-block copolymer refers to a polymer comprising at least one synthetic polymer and two or more poly(amino acid) portions. These are also referred to as triblock copolymers (having two poly(amino acid) portions), tetrablock copolymers (having three poly(amino acid portions), etc.
  • Such multi-block copolymers include those having the format X-W-X, X-W-X', W-X-X', W-X-X'-X", X'-X- W-X-X', X'-X-W-X"-X" ⁇ or W- X-X'-X wherein W is a synthetic polymer portion and X, X', X", and X'" are poly(amino acid) chains or "amino acid blocks".
  • the synthetic polymer is used as the center block which allows the growth of multiple blocks symmetrically from the center.
  • synthetic polymer refers to a polymer that is not a poly(amino acid). Such synthetic polymers are well known in the art and include polystyrene, polyalkylene oxides, such as polyethyleneoxide (also referred to as polyethylene glycol or PEG), and derivatives thereof.
  • poly(amino acid) or “amino acid block” refers to a covalently linked amino acid chain wherein each monomer is an amino acid unit.
  • amino acid units include natural and unnatural amino acids.
  • each amino acid unit is in the L-configuration.
  • Such poly(amino acids) include those having suitably protected functional groups.
  • amino acid monomers may have hydroxyl or amino moieties which are optionally protected by a suitable hydroxyl protecting group or a suitable amine protecting group, as appropriate.
  • suitable hydroxyl protecting groups and suitable amine protecting groups are described in more detail herein, infra.
  • an amino acid block comprises one or more monomers or a set of two or more monomers.
  • an amino acid block comprises one or more monomers such that the overall block is hydrophilic.
  • an amino acid block comprises one or more monomers such that the overall block is hydrophobic.
  • amino acid blocks of the present invention include random amino acid blocks, ie blocks comprising a mixture of amino acid residues.
  • natural amino acid side-chain group refers to the side-chain group of any of the 20 amino acids naturally occuring in proteins.
  • natural amino acids include the nonpolar, or hydrophobic amino acids, glycine, alanine, valine, leucine isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and proline. Cysteine is sometimes classified as nonpolar or hydrophobic and other times as polar.
  • Natural amino acids also include polar, or hydrophilic amino acids, such as tyrosine, serine, threonine, aspartic acid (also known as aspartate, when charged), glutamic acid (also known as glutamate, when charged), asparagine, and glutamine.
  • Certain polar, or hydrophilic, amino acids have charged side-chains. Such charged amino acids include lysine, arginine, and histidine.
  • protection of a polar or hydrophilic amino acid side-chain can render that amino acid nonpolar.
  • a suitably protected tyrosine hydroxyl group can render that tyroine nonpolar and hydrophobic by virtue of protecting the hydroxyl group.
  • unnatural amino acid side-chain group refers to amino acids not included in the list of 20 amino acids naturally occuring in proteins, as described above. Such amino acids include the D-isomer of any of the 20 naturally occuring amino acids. Unnatural amino acids also include homoserine, ornithine, and thyroxine. Other unnatural amino acids side-chains are well know to one of ordinary skill in the art and include unnatural aliphatic side chains. Other unnatural amino acids include modified amino acids, including those that are N-alkylated, cyclized, phosphorylated, acetylated, amidated, labelled, and the like.
  • living polymer chain-end refers to the terminus resulting from a polymerization reaction which maintains the ability to react further with additional monomer or with a polymerization terminator.
  • terminal refers to attaching a terminal group to a polymer chain-end by the reaction of a living polymer with an appropriate compound.
  • terminal may refer to attaching a terminal group to an amine or hydroxyl end, or derivative thereof, of the polymer chain.
  • polymerization terminator is used interchangeably with the term “polymerization terminating agent” and refers to a compound that reacts with a living polymer chain-end to afford a polymer with a terminal group.
  • polymerization terminator may refer to a compound that reacts with an amine or hydroxyl end, or derivative thereof, of the polymer chain, to afford a polymer with a terminal group.
  • the term "polymerization initiator” refers to a compound, which reacts with, or whose anion or free base form reacts with, the desired monomer in a manner which results in polymerization of that monomer.
  • the polymerization initiator is the compound that reacts with an alkylene oxide to afford a polyalkylene oxide block.
  • the polymerization initiator is the amine salt described herein.
  • aliphatic or "aliphatic group”, as used herein, denotes a hydrocarbon moiety that may be straight-chain (i.e., unbranched), branched, or cyclic (including fused, bridging, and spiro-fused polycyclic) and may be completely saturated or may contain one or more units of unsaturation, but which is not aromatic. Unless otherwise specified, aliphatic groups contain 1-20 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-10 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-8 carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-6 carbon atoms, and in yet other embodiments aliphatic groups contain 1-4 carbon atoms.
  • Suitable aliphatic groups include, but are not limited to, linear or branched, alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups, and hybrids thereof such as (cycloalkyl)alkyl, (cycloalkenyl)alkyl or (cycloalkyl)alkenyl.
  • aryl used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in “aralkyl”, “aralkoxy”, or “aryloxyalkyl”, refers to monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring systems having a total of five to fourteen ring members, wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic and wherein each ring in the system contains three to seven ring members.
  • aryl may be used interchangeably with the term “aryl ring”.
  • compounds of the invention may contain "optionally substituted” moieties.
  • substituted whether preceded by the term “optionally” or not, means that one or more hydrogens of the designated moiety are replaced with a suitable substituent.
  • an "optionally substituted” group may have a suitable substituent at each substitutable position of the group, and when more than one position in any given structure may be substituted with more than one substituent selected from a specified group, the substituent may be either the same or different at every position.
  • Combinations of substituents envisioned by this invention are preferably those that result in the formation of stable or chemically feasible compounds.
  • stable refers to compounds that are not substantially altered when subjected to conditions to allow for their production, detection, and, in certain embodiments, their recovery, purification, and use for one or more of the purposes disclosed herein.
  • each R° may be substituted as defined below and is independently hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, -CH 2 Ph, -O(CH 2 ) 0-1 Ph, or a 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or, notwithstanding the definition above, two independent
  • Suitable monovalent substituents on R° are independently halogen, -(CH 2 ) 0-2 R ⁇ , -(haloR ⁇ ), -(CH 2 ) 0-2 OH, -(CH 2 ) 0-2 OR ⁇ , -(CH 2 ) 0-2 CH(OR ⁇ ) 2 ; - O(haloR ⁇ ), -CN, -N 3 , -(CH 2 ) 0-2 C(O)R ⁇ , -(CH 2 ) 0-2 C(O)OH, -(CH 2 ) 0-2 C(O)OR ⁇ , -(CH 2 ) 0- 2 SR ⁇ , -(CH 2 )O -2 SH, -(CH 2 ) 0-2 NH 2 , -(CH 2 ) 0-2 NHR ⁇ , -(haloR ⁇ ), -(CH 2 ) 0-2 OH, -(CH 2 )
  • Suitable divalent substituents that are bound to vicinal substitutable carbons of an "optionally substituted” group include: -O(CR 2 ) 2-3 O—, wherein each independent occurrence of R is selected from hydrogen, C 1- 6 aliphatic which may be substituted as defined below, or an unsubstituted 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • a suitable tetravalent substituent that is bound to vicinal substitutable methylene carbons of an "optionally substituted” group is the dicobalt
  • hexacarbonyl cluster represented by when depicted with the methylenes which bear it.
  • Suitable substituents on the aliphatic group of R * include halogen, -R ⁇ , -(haloR ⁇ ), -OH, -OR ⁇ , -O(haloR ⁇ ), -CN, -C(O)OH, -C(O)OR ⁇ , -NH 2 , -NHR ⁇ , -NR ⁇ 2 , or -NO 2 , wherein each R ⁇ is unsubstituted or where preceded by "halo" is substituted only with one or more halogens, and is independently C 1-4 aliphatic, -CH 2 Ph, -O(CH 2 ) 0-1 Ph, or a 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • Suitable substituents on a substitutable nitrogen of an "optionally substituted” group include -R 1" , -NR f 2 , -C(O)R 1" , -C(O)OR 1" , -C(O)C(O)R + , -C(O)CH 2 C(O)R*, -S(O) 2 R 1" , -S(O) 2 NR ⁇ 5 -C(S)NR ⁇ , -C(NH)NR 1 ⁇ 2 , or -N(R + )S(O) 2 R 1" ; wherein each R f is independently hydrogen, C 1- 6 aliphatic which may be substituted as defined below, unsubstituted -OPh, or an unsubstituted 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or, notwithstanding the definition above, two independent occurrences of taken together with their interven
  • Suitable substituents on the aliphatic group of R ⁇ are independently halogen, -R ⁇ , -(haloR ⁇ ), -OH, -OR ⁇ , -O(haloR ⁇ ), -CN, -C(O)OH, -C(O)OR ⁇ , -NH 2 , -NHR ⁇ , -NR ⁇ 2 , or -NO 2 , wherein each R* is unsubstituted or where preceded by "halo" is substituted only with one or more halogens, and is independently C 1-4 aliphatic, -CH 2 Ph, -O(CH 2 ) 0-1 Ph, or a 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0- 4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • Protected hydroxyl groups are well known in the art and include those described in detail in Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, 3 rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1999, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • Examples of suitably protected hydroxyl groups further include, but are not limited to, esters, carbonates, sulfonates allyl ethers, ethers, silyl ethers, alkyl ethers, arylalkyl ethers, and alkoxyalkyl ethers.
  • suitable esters include formates, acetates, proprionates, pentanoates, crotonates, and benzoates.
  • esters include formate, benzoyl formate, chloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, methoxyacetate, triphenylmethoxyacetate, p-chlorophenoxyacetate, 3-phenylpropionate, 4-oxopentanoate, 4,4-(ethylenedithio)pentanoate, pivaloate (trimethylacetate), crotonate, 4-methoxy-crotonate, benzoate, p-benylbenzoate, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoate.
  • Examples of suitable carbonates include 9-fluorenylmethyl, ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2- (trimethylsilyl)ethyl, 2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethyl, vinyl, allyl, and p-nitrobenzyl carbonate.
  • Examples of suitable silyl ethers include trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl ether, and other trialkylsilyl ethers.
  • alkyl ethers examples include methyl, benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, trityl, t-butyl, and allyl ether, or derivatives thereof.
  • Alkoxyalkyl ethers include acetals such as methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, (2-methoxyethoxy)methyl, benzyloxymethyl, beta-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl, and tetrahydropyran-2-yl ether.
  • Suitable arylalkyl ethers include benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl (MPM), 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, O- nitrobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl, p-halobenzyl, 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, p-cyanobenzyl, 2- and 4- picolyl ethers.
  • Protected amines are well known in the art and include those described in detail in Greene (1999). Suitable mono-protected amines further include, but are not limited to, aralkylamines, carbamates, allyl amines, amides, and the like.
  • Suitable mono-protected amino moieties include t-butyloxycarbonylamino (-NHBOC), ethyloxycarbonylamino, methyloxycarbonylamino, trichloroethyloxycarbonylamino, allyloxycarbonylamino (-NHAUoc), benzyloxocarbonylamino (-NHCBZ), allylamino, benzylamino (-NHBn), fluorenylmethylcarbonyl (-NHFmoc), formamido, acetamido, chloroacetamido, dichloroacetamido, trichloroacetamido, phenylacetamido, trifluoroacetamido, benzamido, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, and the like.
  • Suitable di-protected amines include amines that are substituted with two substituents independently selected from those described above as mono-protected amines, and further include cyclic imides, such as phthalimide, maleimide, succinimide, and the like. Suitable di-protected amines also include pyrroles and the like, 2,2,5, 5-tetramethyl-[l,2,5]azadisilolidine and the like, and azide.
  • Protected aldehydes are well known in the art and include those described in detail in Greene (1999). Suitable protected aldehydes further include, but are not limited to, acyclic acetals, cyclic acetals, hydrazones, imines, and the like. Examples of such groups include dimethyl acetal, diethyl acetal, diisopropyl acetal, dibenzyl acetal, bis(2- nitrobenzyl) acetal, 1,3-dioxanes, 1,3-dioxolanes, semicarbazones, and derivatives thereof.
  • Protected carboxylic acids are well known in the art and include those described in detail in Greene (1999).
  • Suitable protected carboxylic acids further include, but are not limited to, optionally substituted C 1- 6 aliphatic esters, optionally substituted aryl esters, silyl esters, activated esters, amides, hydrazides, and the like.
  • ester groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, benzyl, and phenyl ester, wherein each group is optionally substituted.
  • Additional suitable protected carboxylic acids include oxazolines and ortho esters.
  • Protected thiols are well known in the art and include those described in detail in Greene (1999). Suitable protected thiols further include, but are not limited to, disulfides, thioethers, silyl thioethers, thioesters, thiocarbonates, and thiocarbamates, and the like. Examples of such groups include, but are not limited to, alkyl thioethers, benzyl and substituted benzyl thioethers, triphenylmethyl thioethers, and trichloroethoxycarbonyl thioester, to name but a few.
  • a "crown ether moiety" is the radical of a crown ether.
  • a crown ether is a monocyclic polyether comprised of repeating units of -CH 2 CH 2 O-. Examples of crown ethers include 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, and 18-crown-6.
  • structures depicted herein are also meant to include all isomeric (e.g., enantiomeric, diastereomeric, and geometric (or conformational)) forms of the structure; for example, the R and S configurations for each asymmetric center, Z and E double bond isomers, and Z and E conformational isomers. Therefore, single stereochemical isomers as well as enantiomeric, diastereomeric, and geometric (or conformational) mixtures of the present compounds are within the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise stated, all tautomeric forms of the compounds of the invention are within the scope of the invention.
  • structures depicted herein are also meant to include compounds that differ only in the presence of one or more isotopically enriched atoms.
  • compounds having the present structures except for the replacement of hydrogen by deuterium or tritium, or the replacement of a carbon by a C- or C-enriched carbon are within the scope of this invention. Such compounds are useful, for example, as analytical tools or probes in biological assays.
  • the term "detectable moiety” is used interchangeably with the term “label” and relates to any moiety capable of being detected (e.g., primary labels and secondary labels).
  • a "detectable moiety" or “label” is the radical of a detectable compound.
  • Primary labels include radioisotope-containing moieties (e.g., moieties that contain 32 P, 33 P, 35 S, or 14 C), mass-tags, and fluorescent labels, and are signal-generating reporter groups which can be detected without further modifications.
  • Other primary labels include those useful for positron emission tomography including molecules containing radioisotopes (e.g. ' F) or ligands with bound radioactive metals (e.g. 62 Cu).
  • primary labels are contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging such as gadolinium, gadolinium chelates, or iron oxide (e.g Fe 3 O 4 and Fe 2 O 3 ) particles.
  • semiconducting nanoparticles e.g. cadmium selenide, cadmium sulfide, cadmium telluride
  • Other metal nanoparticles e.g colloidal gold also serve as primary labels.
  • “Secondary” labels include moieties such as biotin, or protein antigens, that require the presence of a second compound to produce a detectable signal.
  • the second compound may include streptavidin-enzyme conjugates.
  • the second compound may include an antibody-enzyme conjugate.
  • certain fluorescent groups can act as secondary labels by transferring energy to another compound or group in a process of nonradiative fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) 3 causing the second compound or group to then generate the signal that is detected.
  • FRET nonradiative fluorescent resonance energy transfer
  • radioisotope-containing moieties are optionally substituted hydrocarbon groups that contain at least one radioisotope. Unless otherwise indicated, radioisotope-containing moieties contain from 1 - 40 carbon atoms and one radioisotope. In certain embodiments, radioisotope-containing moieties contain from 1-20 carbon atoms and one radioisotope.
  • fluorescent label refers to compounds or moieties that absorb light energy at a defined excitation wavelength and emit light energy at a different wavelength.
  • fluorescent compounds include, but are not limited to: Alexa Fluor dyes (Alexa Fluor 350, Alexa Fluor 488, Alexa Fluor 532, Alexa Fluor 546, Alexa Fluor 568, Alexa Fluor 594, Alexa Fluor 633, Alexa Fluor 660 and Alexa Fluor 680), AMCA, AMCA-S, BODIPY dyes (BODIPY FL, BODIPY R6G, BODIPY TMR, BODIPY TR, BODIPY 530/550, BODIPY 558/568, BODIPY 564/570, BODIPY 576/589, BODIPY 581/591, BODIPY 630/650, BODIPY 650/665), Carboxyrhodamine 6G, carboxy-X-rhodamine (ROX), Cascade Blue, Cascade Yellow, Coumarin 343, Cyanine dyes (Cy3, Cy5, Cy3.5, Cy5.5), Dansyl, Dapoxyl, Dialkyla
  • mass-tag refers to any moiety that is capable of being uniquely detected by virtue of its mass using mass spectrometry (MS) detection techniques.
  • mass-tags include electrophore release tags such as N-[3-[4'-[(p- Methoxytetrafluorobenzyl)oxy]phenyl] -3 -metliylglyceronyl] isonipecotic Acid, 4 ' - [2,3 , 5 , 6- Tetrafluoro-4-(pentafluorophenoxyl)]methyl acetophenone, and their derivatives.
  • mass-tags include, but are not limited to, nucleotides, dideoxynucleotides, oligonucleotides of varying length and base composition, oligopeptides, oligosaccharides, and other synthetic polymers of varying length and monomer composition.
  • nucleotides dideoxynucleotides
  • oligonucleotides of varying length and base composition oligopeptides, oligosaccharides
  • other synthetic polymers of varying length and monomer composition.
  • a large variety of organic molecules, both neutral and charged (biomolecules or synthetic compounds) of an appropriate mass range (100-2000 Daltons) may also be used as mass- tags.
  • substrate refers to any material or macromolecular complex to which a functionalized end-group of a block copolymer can be attached.
  • substrates include, but are not limited to, glass surfaces, silica surfaces, plastic surfaces, metal surfaces, surfaces containing a metalic or chemical coating, membranes (eg., nylon, polysulfone, silica), micro-beads (eg., latex, polystyrene, or other polymer), porous polymer matrices (eg., polyacrylamide gel, polysaccharide, polymethacrylate), macromolecular complexes (eg., protein, polysaccharide).
  • membranes eg., nylon, polysulfone, silica
  • micro-beads eg., latex, polystyrene, or other polymer
  • porous polymer matrices eg., polyacrylamide gel, polysaccharide, polymethacrylate
  • macromolecular complexes eg
  • one aspect of the present invention provides a method for preparing a multi-block copolymer comprising one or more poly(amino acid) blocks and one or more synthetic polymer blocks, wherein said method comprises the steps of sequentially polymerizing one or more cyclic amino acid monomers onto a synthetic polymer having a terminal amine salt wherein said polymerization is initiated by said amine salt.
  • said polymerization occurs by ring-opening polymerization of the cyclic amino acid monomers.
  • the cyclic amino acid monomer is an amino acid NCA, lactam, or imide.
  • the synthetic polymers used in methods of the present invention have a terminal amine salt for initiating the polymerization of a cyclic amino acid monomer.
  • Such salts include the acid addition salts of an amino group formed with an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid or perchloric acid. It is also contemplated that such amine salts include the acid addition salts of an amino group formed with an organic acid such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, and the like, or by using other methods used in the art such as ion exchange.
  • the synthetic polymers used in methods of the present invention have a terminal amine salt.
  • the synthetic polymer is poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) having a terminal amine salt ("PEG macroinitiator") which initiates the polymerization of NCAs to provide PEG-poly(amino acid) multi-block copolymers.
  • PEG macroinitiator poly(ethylene glycol)
  • Such synthetic polymers having a terminal amine salt may be prepared from synthetic polymers having a terminal amine.
  • Such synthetic polymers having a terminal amine group are known in the art and include PEG-amines. PEG- amines may be obtained by the deprotection of a suitably protected PEG-amine.
  • suitably protected PEG-amines Preparation of such suitably protected PEG-amines, and methods of deprotecting the same, is described in detail in United States patent application serial number 11/256,735, filed October 24, 2005 the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
  • suitably protected PEG-amines may be formed by terminating the living polymer chain end of a PEG with a terminating agent that contains a suitably protected amine. The suitably protected amine may then be deprotected to generate a PEG that is terminated with a free amine that may subsequently be converted into the corresponding PEG-amine salt macroinitiator.
  • the PEG-amine salt macroinitiator of the present invention is prepared directly from a suitably protected PEG-amine by deprotecting said protected amine with an acid. Accordingly, in other embodiments, the terminating agent has suitably protected amino group wherein the protecting group is acid-labile.
  • suitable synthetic polymers having a terminal amine salt may be prepared from synthetic polymers that contain terminal functional groups that may be converted to amine salts by known synthetic routes.
  • the conversion of the terminal functional groups to the amine salts is conducted in a single synthetic step.
  • the conversion of the terminal functional groups to the amine salts is achieved by way of a multi-step sequence.
  • Functional group transformations that afford amines, amine salts, or protected amines are well known in the art and include those described in Larock, R.C., "Comprehensive Organic Transformations," John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1999.
  • suitably protected PEG-amines may be formed by initiating the polymerization of ethylene oxide with a compound that contains a suitably protected amino moiety.
  • the PEG formed therefrom may be terminated by any manner known in the art, including those described in USSN 11/256,735.
  • the method of termination may incorporate a additional suitably protected amine functional group, or a precursor thereto, such that each terminus of the PEG formed therefrom may be subsequently converted to an amine salt that may be employed in the polymerization of the cyclic monomers described herein.
  • only one terminus of such a PEG is converted to an amine salt that is then employed in the formation of one or more poly(amino acid) blocks.
  • the amine salt terminus may be converted to an unreactive form, and then the other terminus may be converted to an amine salt for use in the introduction of additional poly(amino acid) blocks.
  • both termini of a PEG are converted to amine salts that are then employed in bidirectional polymerization to introduce poly(amino acid) blocks concomitantly at each end.
  • bidirectional polymerization is depicted in Scheme 2, below.
  • the synthetic polymer block is polypropylene oxide (PPO), PEG-PPO-PEG block copolymers (Pluronics ® ), polyesters, polyamides, poly(ethylene imine), polyphosphazines, polyacrylates, or polymethacrylates.
  • the synthetic polymer is poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) having one or two terminal amine salt (s) ("PEG macroinitiator") to initiate the polymerization of NCAs to provide a PEG-poly(amino acid) multi-block copolymer as illustrated in Schemes 1 and 2, below.
  • PEG poly(ethylene glycol)
  • PEG macroinitiator poly(ethylene glycol) having one or two terminal amine salt (s)
  • Scheme 1 above depicts a polymerization method of the present invention.
  • a macroinitiator of formula I is treated with a first amino acid NCA to form a compound of formula I-a having a first amino acid block.
  • the second amino acid NCA is added to the living polymer of formula I-a to form a compound of formula II having two differing amino acid blocks.
  • Each of the R 1 , A, n, Q, R x , R y , m, and m' groups depicted in Scheme 1 are as defined and described in classes and subclasses, singly and in combination, herein.
  • Scheme 2 above depicts the synthesis of a PAA-b-PAA-b-PEG-b-PAA-b-PAA pentablock copolymer according to the present invention, wherein each of R x , R y , m, m', n, A, and Q are as defined herein and in classes and subclasses, singly and in combination.
  • Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of for preparing a multi-block copolymer comprising two or more different poly(amino acid) blocks and a PEG synthetic polymer block, wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a compound of formula I:
  • n 10-2500
  • R 1 is -Z(CH 2 CH 2 Y) p (CH 2 ) t R 3 , wherein: Z is -O-, -S-, -OC-, or -CH 2 -; each Y is independently -O- or -S-; p is 0-10; t is 0-10; and
  • R 3 is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9-30-membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- !2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, -
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and A is a suitable acid anion,
  • the cyclic amino acid monomers include N-carboxy anhydrides (NCAs), lactams, and cyclic imides.
  • the cyclic amino acid monomer is an NCA.
  • NCAs are well known in the art and are typically prepared by the carbonylation of amino acids by a modification of the Fuchs-Farthing method (Kricheldorf, a-Aminoacid-N-Carboxy-Anhydrides and Related Heterocycles: Syntheses, Properties, Peptide Synthesis, Polymerization, 1987).
  • NCAs exhibit reactivity that is well-suited for ring-opening polymerization (ROP).
  • ROP ring-opening polymerization
  • Primary, secondary, and tertiary amines as well as alcohols, water, and acid are known to initiate the ring opening of the NCA.
  • solvents and all starting materials, including initiators and the NCA monomers, are substantially free from impurities and moisture.
  • amino acids containing alcohol, amine, and carboxylic acid functionality are typically protected before polymerization.
  • protected hydroxyl groups, protected amine groups, and protected carboxylic acids are well known in the art and include those described above and in Greene (1999).
  • Suitable hydroxyl protecting groups include, but are not limited to, esters, allyl ethers, ethers, silyl ethers, alkyl ethers, arylalkyl ethers, and alkoxyalkyl ethers.
  • esters include formates, acetates, carbonates, and sulfonates.
  • Specific examples include formate, benzoyl formate, chloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, methoxyacetate, triphenylmethoxyacetate, p-chlorophenoxyacetate, 3- ⁇ henylpropionate, 4-oxopentanoate, 4,4-(ethylenedithio)pentanoate, pivaloate (trimethylacetyl), crotonate, A- methoxy-crotonate, benzoate, p-benylbenzoate, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoate, carbonates such as methyl, 9-fluorenylmethyl, ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl, 2- (phenylsulfonyl)ethyl, vinyl, allyl, and p-nitrobenzyl.
  • silyl ethers examples include trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, and other trialkylsilyl ethers.
  • Alkyl ethers include methyl, benzyl, p- methoxybenzyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, trityl, t-butyl, allyl, and allyloxycarbonyl ethers or derivatives.
  • Alkoxyalkyl ethers include acetals such as methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, (2-methoxyethoxy)methyl, benzyloxymethyl, beta-
  • Suitable amino protecting groups include, but are not limited to, aralkylamines, carbamates, cyclic imides, allyl amines, amides, and the like.
  • Examples of such groups include t-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC), ethyloxycarbonyl, methyloxycarbonyl, trichloroethyloxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl (Alloc), benzyloxocarbonyl (CBZ), allyl, phthalimide, benzyl (Bn), fluorenylmethylcarbonyl (Fmoc), formyl, acetyl, chloroacetyl, dichloroacetyl, trichloroacetyl, phenylacetyl, trifluoroacetyl, benzoyl, and the like.
  • the amino protecting group is phthalimido.
  • the amino protecting group is mono- or di-benzyl or mono- or di-allyl, In still other embodiments, the amino protecting group is a tert-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC) group.
  • Suitable carboxylate protecting groups include, but are not limited to, substituted C 1-6 aliphatic esters, optionally substituted aryl esters, silyl esters, activated esters, amides, hydrazides, and the like. Examples of such ester groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, benzyl, and phenyl wherein each group is optionally substituted.
  • Both D and L NCA enantiomers can be synthesized and any combination of the two stereoisomers can undergo ring-opening polymerization.
  • Advanced Chemtech http://www.advancedchemtech.com
  • Bachem www.bachem.com
  • amino acid dimers and trimers can form cyclic anhydrides and are capable of ROP in accordance with the present invention.
  • the cyclic amino acid monomer is a carboxylate- protected aspartic acid NCA, a hydroxyl-protected tyrosine NCA, or an amino-protected lysine NCA. In other embodiments, the cyclic amino acid monomer is a t-butyl protected aspartic acid NCA, a benzyl-protected tyrosine NCA, or a BOC-protected lysine NCA.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is -N 3 .
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is -CN.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is a mono-protected amine or a di-protected amine.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is an optionally substituted aliphatic group. Examples include t-butyl, 5-norbornene-2-yl, octane-5-yl, acetyl enyl, trimethylsilylacetylenyl, triisopropylsilylacetylenyl, and t- butyldimethylsilylacetylenyl.
  • said R 3 moiety is an optionally substituted alkyl group.
  • said R 3 moiety is an optionally substituted alkynyl or alkenyl group.
  • R 3 When said R 3 moiety is a substituted aliphatic group, suitable substituents on R 3 include CN, N 3 , trimethylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, N- methyl propiolamido, N-methyl-4-acetylenylanilino, N-niethyl-4-acetylenylbenzoamido, bis-(4-ethynyl-benzyl)-amino, dipropargylamino, di-hex-5-ynyl-amino, di-pent-4-ynyl- amino, di-but-3-ynyl-amino, propargyloxy, hex-5-ynyloxy, pent-4-ynyloxy, di-but-3- ynyloxy, N-methyl-propargylamino, N-methyl-hex-5-ynyl-amino, N-methyl-p
  • the R 1 group is 2-(N-methyl-N-(ethynylcarbonyl)amino)ethoxy, 4-ethynylbenzyloxy, or 2-(4- ethyny lphenoxy)ethoxy .
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is an optionally substituted aryl group.
  • the R 3 moiety is an aryl group substituted with a suitably protected amino group. According to another aspect, the R 3 moiety is phenyl substituted with a suitably protected amino group.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is a protected hydroxyl group.
  • the protected hydroxyl of the R 3 moiety is an ester, carbonate, sulfonate, allyl ether, ether, silyl ether, alkyl ether, arylalkyl ether, or alkoxyalkyl ether.
  • the ester is a formate, acetate, proprionate, pentanoate, crotonate, or benzoate.
  • esters include formate, benzoyl formate, chloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, methoxyacetate, triphenylmethoxyacetate, p- chlorophenoxyacetate, 3-phenylpropionate, 4-oxopentanoate, 4,4-
  • ethylenedithiopentanoate pivaloate (trimethylacetate), crotonate, 4-methoxy-crotonate, benzoate, p-benylbenzoate, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoate.
  • exemplary carbonates include 9- fluorenylmethyl, ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl, 2- (phenylsulfonyl)ethyl, vinyl, allyl, and p-nitrobenzyl carbonate.
  • silyl ethers examples include trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl ether, and other trialkylsilyl ethers.
  • exemplary alkyl ethers include methyl, benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, trityl, t-butyl, and allyl ether, or derivatives thereof.
  • Exemplary alkoxyalkyl ethers include acetals such as methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, (2-methoxyethoxy)methyl, benzyloxymethyl, beta-
  • arylalkyl ethers include benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl (MPM), 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, O-nitrobenzyl, p- nitrobenzyl, p-halobenzyl, 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, p-cyanobenzyl, 2- and 4-picolyl ethers.
  • R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is a mono- protected or di-protected amino group. In certain embodiments R 3 is a mono-protected amine.
  • R 3 is a mono-protected amine selected from aralkylamines, carbamates, allyl amines, or amides.
  • Examplary mono-protected amino moieties include t-butyloxycarbonylamino, ethyloxycarbonylamino, methyloxycarbonylamino, trichloroethyloxy-carbonylamino, allyloxycarbonylamino, benzyloxocarbonylamino, allylamino, benzylamino, fluorenylmethylcarbonyl, formamido, acetamido, chloroacetamido, dichloroacetamido, trichloroacetamido, phenylacetamido, trifluoroacetamido, benzamido, and t-butyldiphenylsilylamino.
  • R 3 is a di-protected amine.
  • Exemplary di-protected amines include di-benzylamine, di- allylamine, phthalimide, maleimide, succinimide, pyrrole, 2,2,5, 5-tetramethyl- [l,2,5]azadisilolidine, and azide.
  • the R 3 moiety is phthalimido.
  • the R 3 moiety is mono- or di-benzylamino or mono- or di- allylamino.
  • the R 1 group is 2-dibenzylaminoethoxy.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is a protected aldehyde group.
  • the protected aldehydo moiety of R 3 is an acyclic acetal, a cyclic acetal, a hydrazone, or an imine.
  • Exemplary R 3 groups include dimethyl acetal, diethyl acetal, diisopropyl acetal, dibenzyl acetal, bis(2-nitrobenzyl) acetal, 1,3- dioxane, 1,3-dioxolane, and semicarbazone.
  • R 3 is an acyclic acetal or a cyclic acetal.
  • R 3 is a dibenzyl acetal.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is a protected carboxylic acid group.
  • the protected carboxylic acid moiety of R 3 is an optionally substituted ester selected from C 1- 6 aliphatic or aryl, or a silyl ester, an activated ester, an amide, or a hydrazide. Examples of such ester groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, benzyl, and phenyl ester.
  • the protected carboxylic acid moiety of R 3 is an oxazoline or an ortho ester.
  • protected carboxylic acid moieties include oxazolin-2-yl and 2- methoxy-[l,3]dioxin-2-yl.
  • the R 1 group is oxazolin-2-ylmethoxy or 2-oxazolin-2-yl-l-propoxy.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is a protected thiol group.
  • the protected thiol of R 3 is a disulfide, thioether, silyl thioether, thioester, thiocarbonate, or a thiocarbamate.
  • R 3 is an optionally substituted thioether selected from alkyl, benzyl, or triphenylmethyl, or trichloroethoxycarbonyl thioester.
  • R 3 is -S-S-pyridin-2-yl, -S- SBn, -S-SCH 3 , or -S-S(p-ethynylbenzyl). In other embodmients, R 3 is -S-S-pyridin-2-yl. In still other embodiments, the R 1 group is 2-triphenylmethylsulfanyl-ethoxy. [0077] In certain embodiments, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula l is a crown ether. Examples of such crown ethers include 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, and 18-crown-6.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is a detectable moiety.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is a fluorescent moiety.
  • fluorescent moieties are well known in the art and include coumarins, quinolones, benzoisoquinolones, hostasol, and Rhodamine dyes, to name but a few.
  • Exemplary fluorescent moieties of the R 3 group of R 1 include anthracen-9-yl, pyren-4-yl, 9-/J-carbazol-9-yl, the carboxylate of rhodamine B 5 and the carboxylate of coumarin 343.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula I is a group suitable for Click chemistry.
  • Click reactions tend to involve high-energy (“spring- loaded”) reagents with well-defined reaction coordinates, giving rise to selective bond- forming events of wide scope. Examples include the nucleophilic trapping of strained-ring electrophiles (epoxide, aziridines, aziridinium ions, episulfonium ions), certain forms of carbonyl reactivity (aldehydes and hydrazines or hydroxylamines, for example), and several types of cycloaddition reactions. The azide-alkyne 1,3 -dipolar cycloaddition is one such reaction.
  • Click chemistry is known in the art and one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain R 3 moieties of the present invention are suitable for Click chemistry.
  • Compounds of formula I having R 3 moieties suitable for Click chemistry are useful for conjugating said compounds to biological systems or macromolecules such as proteins, viruses, and cells, to name but a few.
  • the Click reaction is known to proceed quickly and selectively under physiological conditions.
  • most conjugation reactions are carried out using the primary amine functionality on proteins (e.g. lysine or protein end-group). Because most proteins contain a multitude of lysines and arginines, such conjugation occurs uncontrollably at multiple sites on the protein. This is particularly problematic when lysines or arginines are located around the active site of an enzyme or other biomolecule.
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, - SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, -SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein - Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially
  • Q is a valence bond.
  • Q is a bivalent, saturated C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -0-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, or -C(O)-, wherein - Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • Q is -Cy- (i.e. a C 1 alkylene chain wherein the methylene unit is replaced by -Cy-), wherein -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted bivalent aryl group.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted bivalent phenyl group.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated carbocyclic ring.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5- 8 membered bivalent, saturated heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • Exemplary -Cy- groups include bivalent rings selected from phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclopropyl.
  • Multi -block copolymers of the present invention may be of the form X-W-X', W-X-X', W-X-X'-X", X'-X-W-X-X', X'-X-W-X"-X'", or W-X-X'-X.
  • a first cyclic amino acid monomer X may be polymerized onto the amine salt terminal ends of W.
  • a second cyclic amino acid monomer X' may then be polymerized onto the resulting amine salts thus forming a multi- block copolymer of the form X' -X-W-X-X', as illustrated in Scheme 2, wherein W is a synthetic polymer portion and X, X', and X" are differing poly(amino acid) chains.
  • a first cyclic amino acid monomer X may be polymerized onto the amine salt terminal end of W, following which the protected amine, at the other terminus, may be deprotected and the corresponding amine salt formed.
  • a second cyclic amino acid monomer X' may then be polymerized onto the resulting amine salt thus forming a multi- block copolymer of the form X-W-X'.
  • the other end-group functionality corresponding to the R 1 moiety of formula I, can be used to attach targeting groups for cell specific delivery including, but not limited to, detectable moieties, such as fluorescent dyes, covalent attachment to surfaces, and incorporation into hydro gels.
  • the R 1 moiety of formula I is bonded to a biomolecule, drug, cell, or other suitable substrate.
  • the cyclic amino acid monomer is a lactam.
  • Lactams are another class of monomers that can be polymerized by cationic ROP. (Odian, Principles of Polymerization, Ch. 7) Such lactams suitable for the present invention include the four, five (pyrrolidone), six (piperidone) and seven (caprolactam) membered rings depicted below:
  • Suitable monovalent substituents on R° are independently halogen, -(CH 2 ) 0-2 R ⁇ , -(haloR'), -(CH 2 ) 0-2 OH, -(CH 2 ) 0-2 OR ⁇ , -(CH 2 ) 0-2 CH(OR ⁇ ) 2 ; -O(haloR ⁇ ), -CN, -N 3 , -(CH 2 ) 0 - 2 C(O)R ⁇ , -(CH 2 ) 0-2 C(O)OH, -(CH 2 )o_ 2 C(O)OR ⁇ , -(CH 2 ) 0-2 SR ⁇ , -(CH 2 )O -2 SH, -(CH 2 ) 0 - 2 NH 2 , -(CH 2 ) 0-2 NHR ⁇ , -(CH 2 ) 0-2 NR ⁇ 2 , - NO 2 , -SiR
  • n 10-2500; m is 1 to 1000; m' is 0 to 1000; R x and R y are each independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y are different from each other; R 1 is -Z(CH 2 CH 2 Y)p(CH 2 ) t R 3 , wherein: Z is -O-, -S-, -C ⁇ C-, or -CH 2 -; each Y is independently -O- or -S-; p is 0-10; t is 0-10; and
  • R 3 is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9-30-membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- I2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and A is a suitable acid anion, wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a compound of formula I:
  • n 10-2500;
  • R 3 is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9-30-membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- . 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and A is a suitable acid anion,
  • each of the classes and subclasses as described for the R 1 (including R 3 and other variables contained therein) and Q groups of formula I also apply singly and in combination to the R 1 and Q groups of formula II.
  • m' is 0. In other embodiments, m' is 1-1000. According to other embodiments, m and m' are independently 10 to 100 repeat units. In still other embodiments, m is 1-20 repeat units and m' is 10-50 repeat units.
  • one of R x and R y is a hydrophilic, or crosslinkable, amino acid side-chain group, or suitably protected form thereof, and the other of R x and R y is a hydrophobic, or ionic amino acid side-chain group, or suitably protected form thereof.
  • R x is a hydrophilic or crosslinkable amino acid side-chain group and R y is a hydrophobic, or ionic amino acid side-chain group.
  • Such hydrophilic, or crosslinkable, amino acid side-chain groups include tyrosine, serine, cysteine, threonine, aspartic acid (also known as aspartate, when charged), glutamic acid (also known as glutamate, when charged), asparagine, and glutamine.
  • Such hydrophobic amino acid side- chain groups include a suitably protected tyrosine side-chain, a suitably protected serine side-chain, a suitably protected threonine side-chain, phenylalanine, alanine, valine, leucine, tryptophan, proline, benzyl and alkyl glutamates, or benzyl and alkyl aspartates or mixtures thereof.
  • Such ionic amino acid side chain groups includes a lysine side-chain, arginine side-chain, or a suitably protected lysine or arginine side-chain, an aspartic acid side chain, glutamic acid side-chain, or a suitably protected aspartic acid or glutamic acid side-chain.
  • protection of a polar or hydrophilic amino acid side-chain can render that amino acid nonpolar.
  • a suitably protected tyrosine hydroxyl group can render that tyrosine nonpolar and hydrophobic by virtue of protecting the hydroxyl group.
  • Suitable protecting groups for the hydroxyl, amino, and thiol, and carboylate functional groups of R x and R y are as described herein.
  • R y comprises a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acid side-chain groups such that the overall poly(amino acid) block comprising R y is hydrophobic.
  • Such mixtures of amino acid side-chain groups include phenylalanine/tyrosine, phenalanine/serine, leucine/tyrosine, and the like.
  • R y is a hydrophobic amino acid side-chain group selected from phenylalanine, alanine, or leucine, and one or more of tyrosine, serine, or threonine.
  • one or both of R x and R y comprise functional groups capable of forming cross-links.
  • R x comprises a functional group capable of forming cross-links.
  • functional groups are capable of such cross-linking, including, but not limited to, carboxylate, hydroxyl, thiol, and amino groups.
  • Examples of NCA' s having functional groups capable of forming cross-links, or protected forms thereof, include protected glutamic and aspartic acids, such as:
  • cysteines capable of forming disulfide crosslinking via the corresponding thiol, such as:
  • aldehyde and protected aldehyde capable of glutaraldehyde crosslinking such as:
  • the preparation of poly(amino acid) containing polymers synthesized by the initiation of NCAs using free amine macroinitiators affords block copolymers with a wide range of PDIs.
  • the sequential polymerization methods of the present invention result in the preparation of multi-block copolymers of the present invention having a PDI about equal to or lower than that of the starting synthetic polymer.
  • amino acid monomers suitable for the methods of the present invention include protected glutamic and aspartic acids, such as:
  • Another aspect of the present invention provides a compound of formula II: wherein: n is 10-2500; m is 1 to 1000; m' is O to 1000;
  • R x and R y are each independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y are different from each other;
  • R 1 is -Z(CH 2 CH 2 Y)p(CH 2 ) t R 3 , wherein: Z is -O-, -S-, -C ⁇ C-, or -CH 2 -; each Y is independently -O- or -S-; p is 0-10; t is 0-10; and
  • R is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9-30-membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1 - I2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and A is a suitable acid anion, wherein said compound is prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a compound of formula I:
  • n 10-2500
  • R 1 is -Z(CH 2 CH 2 Y)p(CH 2 ) t R 3 , wherein: Z is -O-, -S-, -C ⁇ C-, or -CH 2 -; each Y is independently -O- or -S-; p is 0-10; t is 0-10; and
  • R 3 is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxy., a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9-30-membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1 - 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Qs are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, - NHSO 2 -, -SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8—10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and
  • A is a suitable acid anion, (b) polymerizing a first cyclic amino acid monomer onto the amine salt terminal end of formula I, wherein said first cyclic amino acid monomer comprises R x ;
  • the present invention provides a compound of formula II:
  • R x and R y are each independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y are different from each other;
  • R 1 is -Z(CH 2 CH 2 Y) p (CH 2 ) t R 3 , wherein: Z is -O-, -S-, -C ⁇ C-, or -CH 2 -; each Y is independently -O- or -S-; p is 0-10; t is 0-10; and
  • R 3 is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9-30-membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- I2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein: -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having (M- heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,
  • the m' group of formula II is 1-1000. In certain embodiments, the m' group of formula II is 0. In other embodiments, m' is 1-1000. According to other embodiments, m and m' are independently 10 to 100 repeat units. In still other embodiments, m is 1-20 repeat units and m' is 10-50 repeat units. [0098] In certain embodiments, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is -N 3 . [0099] In other embodiments, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is -CN. [00100] In certain embodiments, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is an optionally substituted aliphatic group.
  • R 3 moiety is an optionally substituted alkyl group. In other embodiments, said R 3 moiety is an optionally substituted alkynyl or alkenyl group.
  • R 3 When said R 3 moiety is a substituted aliphatic group, suitable substituents on R 3 include CN, N 3 , trimethylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, N- methyl propiolamido, N-methyl-4-acetylenylanilino, N-methyl-4-acetylenylbenzoamido, bis-(4-ethynyl-benzyl)-amino, dipropargylamino, di-hex-5-ynyl-amino, di-pent-4-ynyl- amino, di-but-3-ynyl-amino, propargyloxy, hex-5-ynyloxy, pent-4-ynyloxy, di-but-3- ynyloxy, N-methyl-propargylamino, N-methyl-hex-5-ynyl-amino, N-methyl-pent-4-yn
  • the R 1 group is 2-(N-methyl-N-(ethynylcarbonyl)amino)ethoxy, 4-ethynylbenzyloxy, or 2-(4- ethynylphenoxy)ethoxy .
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is an optionally substituted aryl group.
  • examples include optionally substituted phenyl and optionally substituted pyridyl.
  • the R moiety is an aryl group substituted with a suitably protected amino group.
  • the R 3 moiety is phenyl substituted with a suitably protected amino group.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is a protected hydroxyl group.
  • the protected hydroxyl of the R 3 moiety is an ester, carbonate, sulfonate, allyl ether, ether, silyl ether, alkyl ether, arylalkyl ether, or alkoxyalkyl ether.
  • the ester is a formate, acetate, proprionate, pentanoate, crotonate, or benzoate.
  • esters include formate, benzoyl formate, chloroacetate, trifiuoroacetate, methoxyacetate, triphenylmethoxyacetate, p-chlorophenoxyacetate, 3-phenylpropionate, 4-oxopentanoate, 4,4-
  • ethylenedithiopentanoate pivaloate (trimethylacetate), crotonate, 4-methoxy-crotonate, benzoate, p-benylbenzoate, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoate.
  • exemplary carbonates include 9- fluorenylmethyl, ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl, 2- ( ⁇ henylsulfonyl)ethyl, vinyl, allyl, and p-nitrobenzyl carbonate.
  • silyl ethers examples include trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl ether, and other trialkylsilyl ethers.
  • exemplary alkyl ethers include methyl, benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, trityl, t-butyl, and allyl ether, or derivatives thereof.
  • Exemplary alkoxyalkyl ethers include acetals such as methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, (2-methoxyethoxy)methyl, benzyloxymethyl, beta-
  • arylalkyl ethers include benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl (MPM), 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, O-nitrobenzyl, p- nitrobenzyl, p-halobenzyl, 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, p-cyanobenzyl, 2- and 4-picolyl ethers.
  • R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is a mono- protected or di-protected amino group. In certain embodiments R 3 is a mono-protected amine.
  • R 3 is a mono-protected amine selected from aralkylamines, carbamates, allyl amines, or amides.
  • Examplary mono-protected amino moieties include t-butyloxycarbonylamino, ethyloxycarbonylamino, methyloxycarbonylamino, trichloroethyloxy-carbonylamino, allyloxycarbonylamino, benzyloxocarbonylamino, allylamino, benzylamino, fluorenylmethylcarbonyl, formamido, acetamido, chloroacetamido, dichloroacetamido, trichloroacetamido, phenylacetamido, trifluoroacetamido, benzamido, and t-butyldiphenylsilylaniino.
  • R 3 is a di-protected amine.
  • Exemplary di-protected amines include di-benzylamine, di- allylamine, phthalimide, maleimide, succinimide, pyrrole, 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl- [l,2,5]azadisilolidine, and azide.
  • the R 3 moiety is phthalimido.
  • the R 3 moiety is mono- or di-benzylamino or mono- or di- allylamino.
  • the R 1 group is 2-dibenzylaminoethoxy.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is a protected aldehyde group.
  • the protected aldehydo moiety of R 3 is an acyclic acetal, a cyclic acetal, a hydrazone, or an imine.
  • Exemplary R 3 groups include dimethyl acetal, diethyl acetal, diisopropyl acetal, dibenzyl acetal, bis(2-nitrobenzyl) acetal, 1,3-dioxane, 1,3-dioxolane, and semicarbazone.
  • R 3 is an acyclic acetal or a cyclic acetal.
  • R 3 is a dibenzyl acetal.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is a protected carboxylic acid group.
  • the protected carboxylic acid moiety of R 3 is an optionally substituted ester selected from C 1- 6 aliphatic or aryl, or a silyl ester, an activated ester, an amide, or a hydrazide. Examples of such ester groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, benzyl, and phenyl ester.
  • the protected carboxylic acid moiety of R 3 is an oxazoline or an ortho ester.
  • protected carboxylic acid moieties include oxazolin-2-yl and 2- methoxy-[l,3]dioxin-2-yl.
  • the R 1 group is oxazolin-2-ylmethoxy or 2-oxazolin-2-yl-l-propoxy.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is a protected thiol group.
  • the protected thiol of R 3 is a disulfide, thioether, silyl thioether, thioester, thiocarbonate, or a thiocarbamate.
  • R 3 is an optionally substituted thioether selected from alkyl, benzyl, or triphenylmethyl, or trichloroethoxycarbonyl thioester.
  • R 3 is -S-S-pyridin-2-yl, -S- SBn, -S-SCH 3 , or -S-S(p-ethynylbenzyl). In other embodiments, R 3 is -S-S-pyridin-2-yl. In still other embodiments, the R 1 group is 2-triphenylmethylsulfanyl-ethoxy. [00108] In certain embodiments, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is a crown ether. Examples of such crown ethers include 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, and 18-crown-6.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is a detectable moiety.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is a fluorescent moiety.
  • fluorescent moieties are well known in the art and include coumarins, quinolones, benzoisoquinolones, hostasol, and Rhodamine dyes, to name but a few.
  • Exemplary fluorescent moieties of the R 3 group of R 1 include anthracen-9-yl, pyren-4-yl, 9-H-carbazol-9-yl, the carboxylate of rhodamine B, and the carboxylate of coumarin 343.
  • the Q group of formula II is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C ⁇ 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, - C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, -SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having
  • Q is a valence bond.
  • Q is a bivalent, saturated C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, or -C(O)-, wherein -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • Q is -Cy- (i.e. a Ci alkylene chain wherein the methylene unit is replaced by -Cy-), wherein -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted bivalent aryl group.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted bivalent phenyl group.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated carbocyclic ring.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5- 8 membered bivalent, saturated heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • exemplary -Cy- groups include bivalent rings selected from phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclopropyl.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is a group suitable for Click chemistry. Click reactions tend to involve high-energy (“spring- loaded”) reagents with well-defined reaction coordinates, giving rise to selective bond- forming events of wide scope.
  • Examples include the nucleophilic trapping of strained-ring electrophiles (epoxide, aziridines, aziridinium ions, episulfonium ions), certain forms of carbonyl reactivity (aldehydes and hydrazines or hydroxylamines, for example), and several types of cycloaddition reactions.
  • the azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition is one such reaction.
  • Click chemistry is known in the art and one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain R 3 moieties of the present invention are suitable for Click chemistry.
  • Compounds of formula II having R 3 moieties suitable for Click chemistry are useful for conjugating said compounds to biological systems or macromolecules such as proteins, viruses, and cells, to name but a few.
  • the Click reaction is known to proceed quickly and selectively under physiological conditions.
  • most conjugation reactions are carried out using the primary amine functionality on proteins (e.g. lysine or protein end-group). Because most proteins contain a multitude of lysines and arginines, such conjugation occurs uncontrollably at multiple sites on the protein. This is particularly problematic when lysines or arginines are located around the active site of an enzyme or other biomolecule.
  • another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of conjugating the R 1 groups of a compound of formula II to a macromolecule via Click chemistry.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a macromolecule conjugated to a compound of formula II via the R group.
  • the other end-group functionality, corresponding to free amine or salt thereof, group of formula II can be used to attach targeting groups for cell specific delivery including, but not limited to, detectable moieties, such as fluorescent dyes, covalent attachment to surfaces, and incorporation into hydrogels.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is an azide-containing group. According to another embodiment, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is an alkyne-containing group. In certain embodiments, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II has a terminal alkyne moiety. In other embodiments, R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is an alkyne moiety having an electron withdrawing group. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula II is
  • E is an electron withdrawing group and y is 0-6.
  • electron withdrawing groups are known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • E is an ester.
  • formula II is wherein E is an electron withdrawing group, such as a -C(O)O- group and y is 0-6.
  • Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula II':
  • R x and R y are each independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y are different from each other;
  • R 1 is -Z(CH 2 CH 2 Y)p(CH 2 ) t R 3 , wherein: Z is -O-, -S-, -C ⁇ C-, or -CH 2 -; each Y is independently -O- or -S-; p is 0-10; t is 0-10; and
  • R 3 is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9-30-membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety; and
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a compound of formula I:
  • n 10-2500
  • R 3 is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9-30-membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-,
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and A is a suitable acid anion,
  • the base utilized at step (d) is pyridine, or a derivative thereof, such as dimethylaminopyridine ("DMAP"), lutidine or collidine.
  • the base utilized at step (d) is dimethylaminopyridine ("DMAP").
  • inorganic bases are utilized and include ammonia, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, or potassium bicarbonate.
  • the present invention provides a compound of formula II': wherein: n is 10-2500; m is 1 to 1000; m' is 0 to 1000;
  • R x and R y are each independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y are different from each other;
  • R 1 is -Z(CH 2 CH 2 Y) P (CH 2 ) t R 3 , wherein: Z is -O-, -S-, -C ⁇ C-, or -CH 2 -; each Y is independently -O- or -S-; p is 0-10; t is 0-10; and
  • R is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9-30 membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety; and
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1 - I2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0—4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • R 1 , Q, n, m, m' R x and R y groups of formula II apply to the R 1 , n, m, m', R x and R y groups of formula II' both singly and in combination.
  • R x and R y are each independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y are different from each other;
  • R 1 is -Z(CH 2 CH 2 Y)p(CH 2 ) t R 3 , wherein: Z is -O-, -S-, -C ⁇ C-, or -CH 2 -; each Y is independently -O- or -S-; p is 0-10; t is 0-10; and
  • R 3 is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9— 30-membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8—10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • R 2a is a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, -NHR 4 , -N(R 4 ) 2 , -NHC(O)R 4 , -NR 4 C(O)R 4 , -NHC(O)NHR 4 , -NHC(O)N(R 4 ) 2 , -NR 4 C(O)NHR 4 , - NR 4 C(O)N(R 4 ) 2 , -NHC(O)OR 4 , -NR 4 C(O)OR 4 , -NHSO 2 R 4 , or -NR 4 SO 2 R 4 ; and each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8—10- membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms
  • n 10-2500
  • R 1 is -Z(CH 2 CH 2 Y) p (CH 2 ) t R 3 , wherein:
  • Z is -0-, -S-, -C ⁇ C-, or -CH 2 -; each Y is independently -O- or -S-; p is 0-10; t is 0-10; and
  • R 3 is -N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9-30-membered crown ether, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0—4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1 - x ⁇ alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and A is a suitable acid anion,
  • the m' group of formula III is 1-1000. In certain embodiments, the m' group of formula III is 0. In other embodiments, m' is 1-1000. According to other embodiments, m and m' are independently 10 to 100 repeat units. In still other embodiments, m is 1-20 repeat units and m' is 10-50 repeat units.
  • R 1 is -Z(CH 2 CH 2 Y) p (CH 2 ) y R 3 , wherein Z is -O-, -S-, -C ⁇ C-, or -CH 2 -; each Y is independently -O- or -S-; p is 0-10; y is 0-10; and R 3 is - N 3 , -CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, a 9— 30-membered crown ether, an optionally substituted aliphatic group, an optionally substituted 5-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an optionally substituted 8-10-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is -N 3 .
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is -CN.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is an optionally substituted aliphatic group. Examples include t-butyl, 5-norbornene-2-yl, octane-5-yl, acetylenyl, trimethylsilylacetylenyl, triisopropylsilylacetylenyl, and t- butyldimethylsilylacetylenyl.
  • said R 3 moiety is an optionally substituted alkyl group. In other embodiments, said R 3 moiety is an optionally substituted alkynyl or alkenyl group.
  • suitable substituents on R 3 include CN, N 3 , trimethylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, N- methyl propiolamido, N-methyl-4-acetylenylanilino, N-methyl-4-acetylenylbenzoamido, bis-(4-ethynyl-benzyl)-amino, dipropargylamino, di-hex-5-ynyl-amino, di-pent-4-ynyl- amino, di-but-3-ynyl-amino, propargyloxy, hex-5-ynyloxy, pent-4-ynyloxy, di-but-3
  • the R 1 group is 2-(N-methyl-N-(ethynylcarbonyl)amino)ethoxy, 4-ethynylbenzyloxy, or 2-(4- ethynylphenoxy)ethoxy.
  • R 1 is other than -OMe.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is an optionally substituted aryl group. Examples include optionally substituted phenyl and optionally substituted pyridyl.
  • R 3 moiety is a substituted aryl group
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is a protected hydroxyl group.
  • the protected hydroxyl of the R 3 moiety is an ester, carbonate, sulfonate, allyl ether, ether, silyl ether, alkyl ether, arylalkyl ether, or alkoxyalkyl ether.
  • the ester is a formate, acetate, proprionate, pentanoate, crotonate, or benzoate.
  • esters include formate, benzoyl formate, chloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, methoxyacetate, triphenylmethoxyacetate, p-chlorophenoxyacetate, 3-phenylpropionate, 4-oxopentanoate, 4,4-
  • ethylenedithiopentanoate pivaloate (trimethylacetate), crotonate, 4-methoxy-crotonate, benzoate, p-benylbenzoate, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoate.
  • exemplary carbonates include 9- fluorenylmethyl, ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl, 2- (phenylsulfonyl)ethyl, vinyl, allyl, and p-nitrobenzyl carbonate.
  • silyl ethers examples include trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl ether, and other trialkylsilyl ethers.
  • exemplary alkyl ethers include methyl, benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, trityl, t-butyl, and allyl ether, or derivatives thereof.
  • Exemplary alkoxyalkyl ethers include acetals such as methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, (2-methoxyethoxy)methyl, benzyloxymethyl, beta-
  • arylalkyl ethers include benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl (MPM), 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, O-nitrobenzyl, p- nitrobenzyl, p-halobenzyl, 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, p-cyanobenzyl, 2- and 4-picolyl ethers.
  • R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is a mono-protected or di-protected amino group. In certain embodiments R is a mono- protected amine.
  • R 3 is a mono-protected amine selected from aralkylamines, carbamates, allyl amines, or amides.
  • Examplary mono-protected amino moieties include t-butyloxycarbonylamino, ethyloxycarbonylamino, methyloxycarbonylamino, trichloroethyloxy-carbonylamino, allyloxycarbonylamino, benzyloxocarbonylamino, allylamino, benzylamino, fluorenylmethylcarbonyl, formamido, acetamido, chloroacetamido, dichloroacetamido, trichloroacetamido, phenylacetamido, trifluoroacetamido, benzamido, and t-butyldiphenylsilylamino.
  • R 3 is a di-protected amine.
  • Exemplary di-protected amines include di-benzylamine, di- allylamine, phthalimide, maleimide, succinimide, pyrrole, 2,2,5, 5-tetramethyl- [l,2,5]azadisilolidine, and azide.
  • the R 3 moiety is phthalimido.
  • the R 3 moiety is mono- or di-benzylamino or mono- or di- allylamino.
  • the R 1 group is 2-dibenzylaminoethoxy.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is a protected aldehyde group.
  • the protected aldehydo moiety of R 3 is an acyclic acetal, a cyclic acetal, a hydrazone, or an imine.
  • Exemplary R groups include dimethyl acetal, diethyl acetal, diisopropyl acetal, dibenzyl acetal, bis(2-nitrobenzyl) acetal, 1,3-dioxane, 1,3-dioxolane, and semicarbazone.
  • R 3 is an acyclic acetal or a cyclic acetal.
  • R 3 is a dibenzyl acetal.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is a protected carboxylic acid group.
  • the protected carboxylic acid moiety of R 3 is an optionally substituted ester selected from C 1-6 aliphatic or aryl, or a silyl ester, an activated ester, an amide, or a hydrazide. Examples of such ester groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, benzyl, and phenyl ester.
  • the protected carboxylic acid moiety of R 3 is an oxazoline or an ortho ester.
  • protected carboxylic acid moieties include oxazolin-2-yl and 2- methoxy-[l,3]dioxin-2-yl.
  • the R 1 group is oxazolin-2-ylmethoxy or 2-oxazolin-2-yl-l-propoxy.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is a protected thiol group.
  • the protected thiol of R 3 is a disulfide, thioether, silyl thioether, thioester, thiocarbonate, or a thiocarbamate.
  • R 3 is an optionally substituted thioether selected from alkyl, benzyl, or triphenylmethyl, or trichloroethoxycarbonyl thioester.
  • R 3 is -S-S- ⁇ yridin-2-yl, -S- SBn, -S-SCH 3 , or -S-S(p-ethynylbenzyl). In other embodmients, R 3 is -S-S-pyridin-2-yl. In still other embodiments, the R 1 group is 2-triphenylmethylsulfanyl-ethoxy. [00132] In certain embodiments, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is a crown ether. Examples of such crown ethers include 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, and 18- crown-6.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of either of formula III is a detectable moiety.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is a fluorescent moiety.
  • fluorescent moieties are well known in the art and include coumarins, quinolones, benzoisoquinolones, hostasol, and Rhodamine dyes, to name but a few.
  • Exemplary fluorescent moieties of the R 3 group of R 1 include anthracen-9-yl, pyren-4-yl, 9-/7-carbazol-9-yl, the carboxylate of rhodamine B, and the carboxylate of coumarin 343.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is a group suitable for Click chemistry.
  • Click reactions tend to involve high-energy (“spring- loaded”) reagents with well-defined reaction coordinates, that give rise to selective bond- forming events of wide scope. Examples include nucleophilic trapping of strained-ring electrophiles (epoxide, aziridines, aziridinium ions, episulfonium ions), certain carbonyl reactivity (e.g., the reaction between aldehydes and hydrazines or hydroxylamines), and several cycloaddition reactions. The azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition is one such reaction.
  • R 3 moieties of the present invention are suitable for Click chemistry.
  • Compounds of formula III having R 3 moieties suitable for Click chemistry are useful for conjugating said compounds to biological systems or macromolecules such as proteins, viruses, and cells, to name but a few.
  • the Click reaction is known to proceed quickly and selectively under physiological conditions.
  • most conjugation reactions are carried out using the primary amine functionality on proteins (e.g. lysine or protein end-group). Because most proteins contain a multitude of lysines and arginines, such conjugation occurs uncontrollably at multiple sites on the protein.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of conjugating the R 1 groups of a compound of formula III to a macromolecule via Click chemistry. Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a macromolecule conjugated to a compound of formula III via the R 1 group.
  • the other end-group functionality corresponding to the R 2a moiety of formula III, can be used to attach targeting groups for cell-specific delivery including, but not limited to, detectable moieties, such as fluorescent dyes, covalent attachment to surfaces, and incorporation into hydro gels.
  • the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of either of formula III is an azide-containing group. According to another embodiment, the R 3 moiety of the R group of either of formula III is an alkyne-containing group. In certain embodiments, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III has a terminal alkyne moiety. In other embodiments, the R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is an alkyne moiety having an electron' withdrawing group. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the R 3 moiety
  • R 1 group of formula III is wherein E is an electron withdrawing group and y is 0-6.
  • E is an electron withdrawing group and y is 0-6.
  • Such electron withdrawing groups are known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • E is an ester.
  • the reaction is a reaction that takes a compound having a carbonate.
  • R 3 moiety of the R 1 group of formula III is wherein E is an electron withdrawing group, such as a -C(O)O- group and y is 0-6.
  • R 1 groups of compounds of the present invention are set forth in Table 1 , below.
  • the R 1 group of any of formulae I, II, II', and III is selected from any of those R 1 groups depicted in Table 1, supra.
  • the R 1 group of any of formulae I, II, II', and III is group k or /.
  • the R 1 group of any of formulae I, II, IF 5 and III is n, o, cc, dd, ee,ff, Mi, h, M, 77, U, or uu.
  • the R 1 group of any of formulae I, II, II', and III is h, aa,yy, zz, or aaa.
  • the R 1 group of any of formulae I, II, II', and III is q, r, s, t, www, xxx, oxyyy.
  • a suitable medium for the preparation of compounds of formula III includes a polar aprotic solvent or a mixture thereof.
  • polar aprotic solvents include, but are not limited to, DMF, DMSO, THF, hexamethylphosphoramide, glyme, diglyme, MTBE, N-methyl pyrrolidone, and acetonitrile.
  • the Q group of formula III is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- i 2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, - C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, -SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic
  • Q is a valence bond.
  • Q is a bivalent, saturated C 1- i 2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, or -C(O)-, wherein -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • Q is -Cy- (i.e. a Ci alkylene chain wherein the methylene unit is replaced by -Cy-), wherein -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted bivalent aryl group.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted bivalent phenyl group.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated carbocyclic ring.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5- 8 membered bivalent, saturated heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • exemplary -Cy- groups include bivalent rings selected from phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclopropyl.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, -NHR 4 , -N(R 4 ) 2 , -NHC(O)R 4 , -NR 4 C(O)R 4 , -NHC(O)NHR 4 , -NHC(O)N(R 4 ) 2 , -NR 4 C(O)NHR 4 , -NR 4 C(O)N(R 4 ) 2 , -NHC(O)OR 4 , -NR 4 C(O)OR 4 , -NHSO 2 R 4 , or -NR 4 SO 2 R 4 , wherein each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10- membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl
  • the R 2a group of formula III is -NHR 4 or -N(R 4 ) 2 wherein each R 4 is an optionally substituted aliphatic group.
  • R 4 is an optionally substituted aliphatic group.
  • One exemplary R 4 group is 5-norbornen-2-yl-methyl.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is -NHR 4 wherein R 4 is a C 1-6 aliphatic group substituted with N 3 . Examples include -CH 2 N 3 .
  • R 4 is an optionally substituted Ci ⁇ alkyl group.
  • Examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, 2- (tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)ethyl, pyridin-2-yldisulfanylmethyl, methyldisulfanylmethyl, (4- acetylenylphenyl)m ethyl, 3-(methoxycarbonyl)-pro ⁇ -2-ynyl, methoxycarbonylmethyl, 2- (N-methyl-N-(4-acetylenylphenyl)carbonylamino)-ethyl, 2-phthalimidoethyl, A- bromobenzyl, 4-chlorobenzyl, 4-fluorobenzyl, 4-iodobenzyl, 4-propargyloxybenzyl, 2- nitrobenzyl, 4-(bis-4-acetylenylbenzyl)aminomethyl-benzyl, 4-propargyloxy-benzyl
  • R 4 is an optionally substituted C 2-6 alkenyl group. Examples include vinyl, allyl, crotyl, 2- propenyl, and but-3-enyl.
  • R 4 group is a substituted aliphatic group, suitable substituents on R 4 include N 3 , CN, and halogen.
  • R 4 is -CH 2 CN, - CH 2 CH 2 CN, -CH 2 CH(OCH 3 ) 2 , 4-(bisbenzyloxymethyl)phenylmethyl, and the like.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is -NHR 4 wherein R 4 is an optionally substituted C 2-6 alkynyl group.
  • the R 2 group of formula III is -NHR 4 wherein R 4 is an optionally substituted 5-8-membered aryl ring.
  • R 4 is optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted pyridyl. Examples include phenyl, 4-t- butoxycarbonylaminophenyl, 4-azidomethylphenyl, 4-propargyloxyphenyl, 2-pyridyl, 3- pyridyl, and 4-pyridyl.
  • R 2a is 4-t- butoxycarbonylaminophenylamino, 4-azidomethylphenamino, or 4- propargyloxyphenylamino .
  • the R 2a group of formula III is -NHR 4 wherein R 4 is an optionally substituted phenyl ring.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is -NHR 4 wherein R 4 is phenyl substituted with one or more optionally substituted C 1-6 aliphatic groups.
  • R 4 is phenyl substituted with vinyl, allyl, acetylenyl, -CH 2 N 3 , -CH 2 CH 2 N 3 , -CH 2 C ⁇ CCH 3 , or - CH 2 C ⁇ CH.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is -NHR 4 wherein R 4 is phenyl substituted with N 3 , N(R°) 2 , CO 2 R°, or C(O)R° wherein each R° is independently as defined herein supra.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is -N(R 4 ) 2 wherein each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, phenyl, naphthyl, a 5-6 membered aryl ring having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a 8-10 membered bicyclic aryl ring having 1-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is -N(R 4 ) 2 wherein the two R groups are taken together with said nitrogen atom to form an optionally substituted 4-7 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • the two R 4 groups are taken together to form a 5-6-membered saturated or partially unsaturated ring having one nitrogen wherein said ring is substituted with one or two oxo groups.
  • Such R 2a groups include, but are not limited to, phthalimide, maleimide and succinimide.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is a mono-protected or di- protected amino group. In certain embodiments R 2a is a mono-protected amine. In certain embodiments R 2a is a mono-protected amine selected from aralkylamines, carbamates, allyl amines, or amides.
  • Examplary mono-protected amino moieties include t- butyloxycarbonylamino, ethyloxycarbonylamino, methyloxycarbonylamino, trichloroethyloxy-carbonylamino, allyloxycarbonylamino, benzyloxocarbonylamino, allylamino, benzylamino, fluorenylmethylcarbonyl, formamido, acetamido, chloroacetamido, dichloroacetamido, trichloroacetamido, phenylacetamido, trifiuoroacetamido, benzamido, and t-butyldiphenylsilylamino.
  • R 2a is a di-protected amine.
  • Exemplary di-protected amino moieties include di-benzylamino, di-allylamino, phthalimide, maleimido, succinimido, pyrrolo, 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl- [l,2,5]azadisilolidino, and azido.
  • the R 2a moiety is phthalimido.
  • the R 2a moiety is mono- or di-benzylamino or mono- or di- allylamino.
  • the R 2a group of formula III comprises a group suitable for Click chemistry.
  • One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain R 2a groups of the present invention are suitable for Click chemistry.
  • Compounds of formula III having R 2a groups comprising groups suitable for Click chemistry are useful for conjugating said compounds to biological systems such as proteins, viruses, and cells, to name but a few. After conjugation to a biomolecule, drug, cell, substrate, or the like, the other end-group functionality, corresponding to the R 1 moiety of formula III, can be used to attach targeting groups for cell specific delivery including, but not limited to, fluorescent dyes, covalent attachment to surfaces, and incorporation into hydrogels.
  • another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of conjugating the R 2a group of a compound of formula III to a macromolecule via Click chemistry. Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a macromolecule conjugated to a compound of formula III via the R 2a group.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is an azide- containing group.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is an alkyne-containing group.
  • the R 2a group of formula III has a terminal alkyne moiety.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is an alkyne-containing moiety having an electron withdrawing group. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the R 2a
  • group of formula HI is , wherein E is an electron withdrawing group and y is 0-6. Such electron withdrawing groups are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In certain embodiments, E is an ester. In other embodiments, the R 2a group of
  • formula III is , wherein E is an electron withdrawing group, such as a -C(O)O- group and y is 0-6.
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula III, as described above, wherein said compounds have a polydispersity index (“PDI”) 1 of about 1.0 to about 1.2. According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula III, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.03 to about 1.15. According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula III, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.10 to about 1.12. According to other embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula III having a PDI of less than about 1.10. [00158] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula III, as described above, wherein n is about 225.
  • n is about 200 to about 300. In still other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 250. In still other embodiments, n is about 100 to about 150. In still other embodiments, n is about 400 to about 500. [00159] Exemplary R 2a groups of formula III are set forth in Table 2, below.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is selected from any of those R 2a groups depicted in Table 2, supra.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is group v, viii, xvi, xix, xxii, xxx, xxxi, xxxiii, xxxiv, xxxv, xxxvi, xxxvii, or xlii.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is xv, xviii, xx, xxi, xxxviii, or xxxix.
  • one step in the preparation of a compound of formula III comprises terminating the living polymer chain-end of the compound of formula II' with a suitable polymerization terminator to afford a compound of formula III.
  • the polymerization terminator provides the R 2a group of formula III. Accordingly, embodiments directed to the R 2a group of formula III, as set forth above and herein, are also directed to the suitable polymerization terminator itself, and similarly, embodiments directed to the suitable polymerization terminator, as set forth above and herein, are also directed to the R 2a group of formula III.
  • compounds of formula III are prepared from compounds of formula II' by treatment with a suitable terminating agent.
  • compounds of formula III are also readily prepared directly from compounds of formula II.
  • the compound of formula II is treated with a base to form the freebase compound prior to, or concurrent with, treatment with the suitable terminating agent.
  • a compound of formula II is treated with a base and suitable terminating agent in the same reaction to form a compound of formula III.
  • the base may also serve as the reaction medium.
  • polymerization terminating agents include any R 2a -containing group capable of reacting with the living polymer chain- end of a compound of formula II, or the free-based amino group of formula II', to afford a compound of formula III.
  • polymerization terminating agents include anhydrides, and other acylating agents, and groups that contain a suitable leaving group L that is subject to nucleophilic displacement.
  • compounds of formula II or II' may be coupled to carboxylic acid-containing groups to form an amide thereof.
  • the amine group of formula II or II' may be coupled with a carboxylic acid moiety to afford compounds of formula III wherein R 2a is -NHC(O)R 4 .
  • Such coupling reactions are well known in the art.
  • the coupling is achieved with a suitable coupling reagent.
  • Such reagents are well known in the art and include, for example, DCC and EDC, among others.
  • the carboxylic acid moiety is activated for use in the coupling reaction.
  • Such activation includes formation of an acyl halide, use of a Mukaiyania reagent, and the like. These methods, and others, are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, e.g., see, “Advanced Organic Chemistry,” Jerry March, 5 th Ed., pp. 351-357, John Wiley and Sons, N. Y.
  • a "suitable leaving group that is subject to nucleophilic displacement” is a chemical group that is readily displaced by a desired incoming chemical moiety.
  • Suitable leaving groups are well known in the art, e.g., see, March. Such leaving groups include, but are not limited to, halogen, alkoxy, sulphonyloxy, optionally substituted alkylsulphonyloxy, optionally substituted alkenylsulfonyloxy, optionally substituted arylsulfonyloxy, and diazonium moieties.
  • Suitable leaving groups include chloro, iodo, bromo, fluoro, methanesulfonyloxy (mesyloxy), tosyloxy, triflyloxy, nitro- phenylsulfonyloxy (nosyloxy), and bromo-phenylsulfonyloxy (brosyloxy).
  • the suitable leaving group may be generated in situ within the reaction medium.
  • a leaving group may be generated in situ from a precursor of that compound wherein said precursor contains a group readily replaced by said leaving group in situ.
  • R 2a group of formula III is a mono- or di- protected amine
  • the protecting group(s) is removed and that functional group may be derivatized or protected with a different protecting group. It will be appreciated that the removal of any protecting group of the R 2a group of formula III is performed by methods suitable for that protecting group. Such methods are described in detail in Green.
  • the R 2a group of formula III is incorporated by derivatization of the amino group of formula II or II' via anhydride coupling, optionally in the presence of base as appropriate.
  • anhydride polymerization terminating agents containing an azide, an aldehyde, a hydroxyl, an alkyne, and other groups, or protected forms thereof, may be used to incorporate said azide, said aldehyde, said protected hydroxyl, said alkyne, and other groups into the R a group of compounds of formula III.
  • anhydride polymerization terminating agents are also suitable for terminating the living polymer chain-end of a compound of formula II.
  • Such anhydride polymerization terminating agents include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Table 3, below. Table 3. Representative Anhydride Polymerization Terminating Agents
  • the R 4 moiety of the R 2a group of formula III is incorporated by derivatization of the amino group of formula II or II' via reaction with a polymerization terminating agent having a suitable leaving group.
  • a polymerization terminating agent having a suitable leaving group is also suitable for terminating the living polymer chain-end of a compound of formula II. Examples of these polymerization terminating agents include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Table 4, below.
  • each L is a suitable leaving group as defined above and in classes and subclasses as described above and herein.
  • each R 1 , n, m, m', and A are as defined above and in classes and subclasses as described above and herein.
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula II, as described above, wherein said compounds have a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.0 to about 1.2. According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula II, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.03 to about 1.15. According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula II, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.10 to about 1.12. According to other embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula II having a PDI of less than about 1.10.
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula II, as described above, wherein n is about 225. In other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 300. In still other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 250. In still other embodiments, n is about 100 to about 150. In still other embodiments, n is about 400 to about 500. [00174] Exemplary compounds of formula II' are set forth in Table 6, below.
  • each R , n, m, and m' are as defined above and in classes and subclasses as described above and herein.
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula II', as described above, wherein said compounds have a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.0 to about 1.2. According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula II', as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.03 to about 1.15. According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula II', as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.10 to about 1.12. According to other embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula II' having a PDI of less than about 1.10.
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula II, as described above, wherein n is about 225. In other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 300. In still other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 250. In still other embodiments, n is about 100 to about 150. In still other embodiments, n is about 400 to about 500.
  • suitably protected PEG-amines may be formed by initiating the polymerization of ethylene oxide with a compound that contains a suitably protected amino moiety.
  • the PEG formed therefrom may be terminated by any manner known in the art, including those described in USSN 11/256,735.
  • the protected amino moiety is then deprotected and an amine salt formed. This amine salt is then used to initiate the polymerization of NCAs as described herein.
  • an alternate method of the present invention provides a method of preparing a compound of formula IV:
  • A is a suitable acid anion; n is 10-2500;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • R 2 is halogen, N 3 , CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected hydroxyl, a protected aldehyde, a protected thiol, -NHR 4 , -N(R 4 ) 2 , -SR 4 , -O(CH 2 CH 2 O) q (CH 2 ) r R 5 , -OC(O)R 4 , or -OS(O) 2 R 4 ; q and r are each independently 0-4; each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic,
  • n 10-2500
  • M is the cation of a suitable metal; each of PG 1 and PG 2 is hydrogen or a suitable amino protecting group, or PG 1 and PG 2 are taken together to form a cyclic amino protecting group, provided that at least one of PG 1 and PG 2 is a suitable amino protecting group; and Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched Ci- I 2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • the M moiety of formula A is the cation of a metal capable, with its corresponding anion, of affecting the polymerization of ethylene oxide.
  • M is K + , Cs + , Na + , Ar , or Y + .
  • M is K + or Na + .
  • M is K .
  • M is a transition metal such as Sn, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Pd, Mn, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co or organometallic complexes of these metals.
  • M is a rare- earth metal such as Sc, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Yb or organometallic complexes of these metals.
  • the present invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula IV:
  • A is a suitable ac anion; n is 10-2500;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- I2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • R 2 is halogen, N 3 , CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected hydroxyl, a protected aldehyde, a protected thiol, -NHR 4 , -N(R 4 ) 2 , -SR 4 , -O(CH 2 CH 2 O) q (CH 2 ) r R 5 , -OC(O)R 4 , or -OS(O) 2 R 4 ; q and r are each independently 0-4; each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8—10- membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety, or: two R 4 on the same nitrogen atom
  • R 5 is hydrogen, halogen, CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety, comprising the steps of:
  • each of PG 1 and PG 2 is hydrogen or a suitable amino protecting group, or PG 1 and PG 2 are taken together to form a cyclic amino protecting group, provided that at least one of PG 1 and PG 2 is a suitable amino protecting group; and Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1 - 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • n 10-2500
  • M is the cation of a suitable metal; each of PG 1 and PG 2 is hydrogen or a suitable amino protecting group, or PG 1 and PG 2 are taken together to form a cyclic amino protecting group, provided that at least one of PG and PG is a suitable amino protecting group; and Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • A is a suitable acid anion; n is 10-2500; each of PG 1 and PG 2 is hydrogen or a suitable amino protecting group, or PG 1 and PG 2 are taken together to form a cyclic amino protecting group, provided that at least one of PG and PG is a suitable amino protecting group Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1 - 1 2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • R 2 is halogen, N 3 , CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected hydroxyl, a protected aldehyde, a protected thiol, -NHR 4 , ⁇ N(R 4 ) 2 , -SR 4 , -O(CH 2 CH 2 O) q (CH2) r R 5 , -OC(O)R 4 , or -OS(O) 2 R 4 ; q and r are each independently 0-4; each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8—10- membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety, or: two R 4 on the same nitrogen atom are taken
  • R 5 is hydrogen, halogen, CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety,
  • PG 1 and PG 2 are suitable amino protecting groups.
  • Suitably protected amines include, but are not limited to, aralkylamines, carbamates, cyclic imides, allyl amines, amides, and the like.
  • amino protecting groups include t-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC), ethyloxycarbonyl, methyloxycarbonyl, trichloroethyloxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl (Alloc), benzyloxocarbonyl (CBZ), allyl, phthalimide, benzyl (Bn), fluorenylmethylcarbonyl (Fmoc), formyl, acetyl, chloroacetyl, dichloroacetyl, trichloroacetyl, phenylacetyl, trifluoroacetyl, benzoyl, and the like.
  • the protected amine is phthalimido.
  • the amino protecting group is benzyl or allyl. In still other embodiments, the amino protecting group is a tert-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC) group. In certain embodiments, PG 1 and PG 2 are taken together to form a cyclic amino protecting group.
  • Such cyclic amino protecting groups include phthalimide, maleimide, succinimide, and the like.
  • the R 2 group of formulae IV and C is halogen, N 3 , CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected hydroxyl, a protected aldehyde, a protected thiol, -NHR 4 , -N(R 4 ) 2 , -SR 4 , -O(CH 2 CH 2 O) q (CH 2 ) r R 5 , -OC(O)R 4 , or -OS(O) 2 R 4 , wherein q and r are each independently 0-4, each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8 ⁇ 10-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -N 3 .
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -CN.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -Br, -Cl, -F, or -I.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is - OS(O) 2 R 4 , wherein R 4 is an optionally substituted aliphatic group, or an optionally substituted 5-8-membered aryl ring.
  • Examplary R 4 groups include p-tolyl and methyl.
  • R 2 is p-toluenesulfonyloxy or methanesulfonyloxy.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -OR 4 wherein R 4 is an optionally substituted aliphatic group.
  • One exemplary R 4 group is 5- norbornen-2-yl-methyl.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -OR 4 wherein R 4 is a C 1-6 aliphatic group substituted with N 3 . Examples include -CH 2 N 3 . In some embodiments, R 4 is an optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl group.
  • Examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, 2-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)ethyl, pyridin-2-yldisulfanylmethyl, methyldisulfanylmethyl, (4-acetylenylphenyl)methyl, 3-(methoxycarbonyl)-prop-2-ynyl, methoxycarbonylmethyl, 2-(N-methyl-N-(4-acetylenylphenyl)carbonylamino)-ethyl, 2- phthalimidoethyl, 4-bromobenzyl, 4-chlorobenzyl, 4-fluorobenzyl, 4-iodobenzyl, 4- propargyloxybenzyl, 2-nitrobenzyl, 4-(bis-4-acetylenylbenzyl)aminomethyl-benzyl, 4- propargyloxy-benzyl, 4-di ⁇ ropargy
  • R 4 is an optionally substituted C 2 - 6 alkenyl group. Examples include vinyl, allyl, crotyl, 2-propenyl, and but-3-enyl.
  • R 4 group is a substituted aliphatic group, suitable substituents on R 4 include N 3 , CN 3 and halogen.
  • R 4 is -CH 2 CN, -CH 2 CH 2 CN, -CH 2 CH(OCH 3 ) 2 , 4- (bisbenzyloxymethyl)phenylmethyL and the like.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -OR 4 wherein R 4 is an optionally substituted C 2 _ 6 alkynyl group.
  • R 4 is an optionally substituted C 2 _ 6 alkynyl group. Examples include -CC ⁇ CH, -CH 2 C ⁇ CH, -CH 2 C ⁇ CCH 3 , and -CH 2 CH 2 C ⁇ CH.
  • R 2 is propargyloxy.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is - OC(O)R 4 wherein R 4 is an optionally substituted aliphatic group.
  • R 4 is an optionally substituted aliphatic group. Examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, acetylenyl, propargyl, but-3-ynyl, vinyl, crotyl, 2-propenyl, azidomethyl, 5-norbornen-2-yl, octen-5-yl, triisopropylsilylacetylenyl, 4- vinylphenyl, 4-dipropargylaminophenyl, 4-propargyloxyphenyl, 4-(2- pro ⁇ argyldisulfanyl)methyl-phenyl, and 2-(propargyloxycarbonyl)ethyl.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -OR 4 wherein R 4 is an optionally substituted 5-8-membered aryl ring.
  • R 4 is optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted pyridyl. Examples include phenyl, 4-t-butoxycarbonylaminophenyl, 4-azidomethylphenyl, 4-propargyloxyphenyl, 2- pyridyl, 3- ⁇ yridyl, and 4-pyridyl.
  • R 2 is 4-t- butoxycarbonylaminophenoxy, 4-azidomethylphenoxy, or 4-propargyloxyphenoxy.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -OR 4 wherein R is an optionally substituted phenyl ring.
  • R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -OR 4 wherein R 4 is phenyl substituted with one or more optionally substituted C 1-6 aliphatic groups.
  • R is phenyl substituted with vinyl, allyl, acetylenyl, -CH 2 N 3 , - CH 2 CH 2 N 3 , -CH 2 C ⁇ CCH 3 , or -CH 2 C ⁇ CH.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -OR 4 wherein R 4 is phenyl substituted with N 3 , N(R°) 2 , CO 2 R°, or C(O)R° wherein each R° is independently as defined herein supra.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is a protected hydroxyl group.
  • the protected hydroxyl of the R 2 moiety is an ester, carbonate, sulfonate, allyl ether, ether, silyl ether, alkyl ether, arylalkyl ether, or alkoxyalkyl ether.
  • the ester is a formate, acetate, proprionate, pentanoate, crotonate, or benzoate.
  • esters include formate, benzoyl formate, chloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, methoxyacetate, triphenylmethoxyacetate, p-chlorophenoxyacetate, 3-phenylpropionate, 4-oxopentanoate, 4,4-
  • ethylenedithiopentanoate pivaloate (trimethylacetate), crotonate, 4-methoxy-crotonate, benzoate, p-benylbenzoate, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoate.
  • exemplary carbonates include 9- fluorenylmethyl, ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl, 2- (phenylsulfonyl)ethyl, vinyl, allyl, and p-nitrobenzyl carbonate.
  • silyl ethers examples include trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl ether, and other trialkylsilyl ethers.
  • exemplary alkyl ethers include methyl, benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, trityl, t-butyl, and allyl ether, or derivatives thereof.
  • Exemplary alkoxyalkyl ethers include acetals such as methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, (2-methoxyethoxy)methyl, benzyloxymethyl, beta-
  • arylalkyl ethers include benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl (MPM), 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, O-nitrobenzyl, p- nitrobenzyl, p-halobenzyl, 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, p-cyanobenzyl, 2- and 4-picolyl ethers.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -N(R 4 ) 2 wherein each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, phenyl, naphthyl, a 5-6 membered aryl ring having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a 8-10 membered bicyclic aryl ring having 1- 5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is -N(R 4 ) 2 wherein the two R 4 groups are taken together with said nitrogen atom to form an optionally substituted 4-7 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 1 - 4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
  • the two R 4 groups are taken together to form a 5-6-membered saturated or partially unsaturated ring having one nitrogen wherein said ring is substituted with one or two oxo groups.
  • Such R 2 groups include, but are not limited to, phthalimide, maleiniide and succinimide.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is a mono-protected or di-protected amino group.
  • R 2 is a mono- protected amine.
  • R 2 is a mono-protected amine selected from aralkylamines, carbamates, allyl amines, or amides.
  • Examplary mono-protected amino moieties include t-butyloxycarbonylamino, ethyloxycarbonylamino, methyloxycarbonylamino, trichloroethyloxy-carbonylamino, allyloxycarbonylamino, benzyloxocarbonylamino, allylamino, benzylamino, fmorenylmethylcarbonyl, formamido, acetamido, chloroacetamido, dichloroacetamido, trichloroacetamido, phenylacetamido, trifluoroacetamido, benzamido, and t-butyldiphenylsilylamino.
  • R is a di-protected amine.
  • Exemplary di-protected amino moieties include di-benzylamino, di-allylamino, phthalimide, maleimido, succinimido, pyrrolo, 2,2,5, 5-tetramethyl- [l,2,5]azadisilolidino, and azido.
  • the R moiety is phthalimide
  • the R 2 moiety is mono- or di-benzylamino or mono- or di- allylamino.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is a protected aldehyde group.
  • the protected aldehydo moiety of R is an acyclic acetal, a cyclic acetal, a hydrazone, or an imine.
  • Exemplary R groups include dimethyl acetal, diethyl acetal, diisopropyl acetal, dibenzyl acetal, bis(2-nitrobenzyl) acetal, 1,3-dioxane, 1,3-dioxolane, and semicarbazone.
  • R 2 is an acyclic acetal or a cyclic acetal.
  • R 2 is a dibenzyl acetal.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is a protected carboxylic acid group.
  • the protected carboxylic acid moiety of R 2 is an optionally substituted ester selected from C 1-6 aliphatic or aryl, or a silyl ester, an activated ester, an amide, or a hydrazide. Examples of such ester groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, benzyl, and phenyl ester.
  • the protected carboxylic acid moiety of R is an oxazoline or an ortho ester.
  • protected carboxylic acid moieties include oxazolin-2-yl and 2- methoxy-[l ,3]dioxin-2-yl.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is a protected thiol group.
  • the protected thiol of R 2 is a disulfide, thioether, silyl thioether, thioester, thiocarbonate, or a thiocarbamate.
  • protected thiols include triisopropylsilyl thioether, t-butyldimethylsilyl thioether, t-butyl thioether, benzyl thioether, p-methylbenzyl thioether, triphenylmethyl thioether, and p- methoxyphenyldiphenylmethyl thioether.
  • R 2 is an optionally substituted thioether selected from alkyl, benzyl, or triphenylmethyl, or trichloroethoxycarbonyl thioester.
  • R 3 is -S-S-pyridin-2-yl, -S- SBn, -S-SCH 3 , or -S-S(p-ethynylbenzyl).
  • R 3 is -S-S-pyridin-2-yl.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is a detectable moiety.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is a fluorescent moiety.
  • Such fluorescent moieties are well known in the art and include coumarins, quinolones, benzoisoquinolones, hostasol, and Rhodamine dyes, to name but a few.
  • Exemplary fluorescent moieties comprising R include anthracen-9-yl-methoxy, pyren-4-yl-methoxy, 2-(9-H-carbazol-9-yl)-ethoxy, the carboxylate of rhodamine B, and the carboxylate of coumarin 343.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is a group suitable for Click chemistry.
  • One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain R 2 groups of the present invention are suitable for Click chemistry.
  • Compounds of either of formulae IV and C having R 2 groups suitable for Click chemistry are useful for conjugating said compounds to biological systems such as proteins, viruses, and cells, to name but a few.
  • the other end-group functionality corresponding to the R 1 moiety of either of formulae IV and C, can be used to attach targeting groups for cell specific delivery including, but not limited to, fluorescent dyes, covalent attachment to surfaces, and incorporation into hydrogels.
  • another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of conjugating the R 2 group of a compound of either of formulae IV and C to a macromolecule via Click chemistry.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a macromolecule conjugated to a compound of either of formulae IV and C via the R 2 group.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is an azide-containing group. According to another embodiment, the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is an alkyne-containing group.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C has a terminal alkyne moiety. In other embodiments, the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C has a terminal alkyne moiety. In other embodiments, the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and
  • C is an alkyne-containing moiety having an electron withdrawing group. Accordingly, in
  • the R group of either of formulae IV and C is wherein E is an electron withdrawing group and y is 0-6.
  • E is an electron withdrawing group
  • y is 0-6.
  • E is an ester.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is
  • E is an electron withdrawing group, such as a -C(O)O- group and y is 0-6.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is selected from any of those R 2 groups depicted in Table 2, supra.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is group xlii or xxiv.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is xix, xvii, xviii, xxix, xxxii, xlviv, xlvii, or xlviii.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is ix, xxii, xxx, xxxi, xlv, xlviii, xlix, Ixxi.
  • one step in the preparation of a compound of either of formulae IV and C comprises terminating the living polymer chain-end of the compound of formula A with a suitable polymerization terminator to afford a compound of formula C.
  • the polymerization terminator provides the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C. Accordingly, embodiments directed to the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C, as set forth above and herein, are also directed to the suitable polymerization terminator itself, and similarly, embodiments directed to the suitable polymerization terminator, as set forth above and herein, are also directed to the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C.
  • a compound of formula C may be performed as a "one-pot" synthesis of compounds of formula C that utilizes the living polymer chain-end to incorporate the R 2 group of formula IV.
  • compounds of formula C may also be prepared in a multi-step fashion. For example, the living polymer chain-end of a compound of formula A may be quenched to afford a hydroxyl group which may then be further derivatized, according to known methods, to afford a compound of formula C.
  • polymerization terminating agents include any R -containing group capable of reacting with the living polymer chain- end of a compound of formula A to afford a compound of formula C.
  • polymerization terminating agents include anhydrides, suitable Mitsunobu reactants, and groups that contain a suitable leaving group, L, that is subject to nucleophilic displacement.
  • a "suitable leaving group that is subject to nucleophilic displacement” is a chemical group that is readily displaced by a desired incoming chemical moiety.
  • Suitable leaving groups are well known in the art, e.g., see, March. Such leaving groups include, but are not limited to, halogen, alkoxy, sulphonyloxy, optionally substituted alkylsulphonyloxy, optionally substituted alkenylsulfonyloxy, optionally substituted arylsulfonyloxy, and diazonium moieties.
  • Suitable leaving groups include chloro, iodo, bromo, fluoro, methanesulfonyloxy (mesyloxy), tosyloxy, triflyloxy, nitro- phenylsulfonyloxy (nosyloxy), and bromo-phenylsulfonyloxy (brosyloxy).
  • the suitable leaving group may be generated in situ within the reaction medium.
  • a leaving group may be generated in situ from a precursor of that compound wherein said precursor contains a group readily replaced by said leaving group in situ.
  • R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is a protected functional group, such as a protected amine, protected thiol, protected carboxylylic acid, protected acetylene, protected aldehyde, etc.
  • the protecting group may be removed and that functional group may be derivatized or protected with a different protecting group. It will be appreciated that the removal of any protecting group of the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is performed by methods suitable for that protecting group. Such methods are described in detail in Green.
  • the R 2 group of formula C is incorporated by derivatization of the hydroxyl group of formula A via anhydride coupling, optionally in the presence of base as appropriate.
  • anhydride polymerization terminating agents containing an azide, an aldehyde, a hydroxyl, an alkyne, and other groups, or protected forms thereof, may be used to incorporate said azide, said aldehyde, said protected hydroxyl, said alkyne, and other groups into the R 2 group of compounds of formula C.
  • anhydride polymerization terminating agents are also suitable for terminating the living polymer chain-end of a compound of formula A.
  • Such anhydride polymerization terminating agents include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Table 8, below.
  • the R 2 group of either of formulae IV and C is incorporated by derivatization of the hydroxyl group of formula A via reaction with a polymerization terminating agent having a suitable leaving group.
  • a polymerization terminating agent having a suitable leaving group is also suitable for terminating the living polymer chain-end of a compound of formula A. Examples of these polymerization terminating agents include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Table 9, below.
  • each L is a suitable leaving group as defined above and in classes and subclasses as described above and herein.
  • a compound of formula A is treated with a polymerization terminating agent to form a compound of formula C.
  • terminating agents include those described herein and in detail in USSN 11/256,735.
  • the R 2 group of formula IV or C is incorporated by derivatization of the hydroxyl group of formula A or B via Mitsunobu coupling.
  • the Mitsunobu reaction is a mild method for achieving formal substitution of the hydroxyl group using azodicarboxylic esters/amides and triphenylphosphine (TPP) or trialkylphosphines or phosphites.
  • azo compounds have been developed as alternatives to the traditional azodicarboxylic esters diethylazodicarboxylate (DEAD) and diisopropylazodicarboxylate (DIAD). These include dibenzyl azodicarboxylate (DBAD), N,N,N ',N'-tetramethylazodicarbonamide (TMAD), and dipiperidyl azodicarboxylate (DPAD).
  • DBAD dibenzyl azodicarboxylate
  • TMAD N,N,N ',N'-tetramethylazodicarbonamide
  • DPAD dipiperidyl azodicarboxylate
  • Mitsunobu coupling provides access to terminal groups including, but not limited to, halides, azide, amines, esters, ethers, thioethers and isothiocyanates. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that a variety of compounds of formulae IV and C are obtained by the derivatization of the hydroxyl group of formula
  • the polymerization terminating agent is one that is capable of Mistunobu coupling.
  • These include optionally substituted phenols, optionally substituted thiophenols, cyclic imides, carboxylic acids, azide, and other reagents capable of Mitsunobu coupling.
  • Mitsunobu terminating agents include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Table 10, below.
  • the present invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula V:
  • R x and R y are each independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y are different from each other;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched Ci- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • R 2 is halogen, N 3 , CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected hydroxy., a protected aldehyde, a protected thiol, -NHR 4 , -N(R 4 ) 2 , -SR 4 , -O(CH 2 CH 2 O) q (CH 2 ) r R 5 , -OC(O)R 4 , or -OS(O) 2 R 4 ; q and r are each independently 0-4; each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10- membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety, or: two R 4 on the same nitrogen atom are
  • A is a suitable acid anion; n is 10-2500;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- I2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHG(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • R 2 is halogen, N 3 , CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected hydroxyl, a protected aldehyde, a protected thiol, -NHR 4 , -N(R 4 ) 2 , -SR 4 , -O(CH 2 CH 2 O) q (CH 2 ) r R 5 , -OC(O)R 4 , or -OS(O) 2 R 4 ; q and r are each independently 0-4; each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic,
  • R 5 is hydrogen, halogen, CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety,
  • R 2 , Q, m, m ⁇ R x , and R y groups of formula V are as defined above and in various embodiments, classes and subclasses described herein both singly and in combination.
  • the m' group of formula V is 1-1000. In certain embodiments, the m' group of formula V is 0. In other embodiments, m' is 1-1000.
  • m and m' are independently 10 to 100 repeat units. In still other embodiments, m is 1-20 repeat units and m' is 10-50 repeat units. [00222] According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of formula V:
  • R x and R y are each independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y are different from each other;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- I2 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • R is halogen, N 3 , CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected hydroxy., a protected aldehyde, a protected thiol, -NHR 4 , -N(R 4 ) 2 , -SR 4 , -O(CH 2 CH 2 O) q (CH 2 ) r R 5 , -OC(O)R 4 , or -OS(O) 2 R 4 ; q and r are each independently 0-4; each R 4 is independently an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8—10- membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety, or: two R 4 on the same nitrogen atom are
  • R 5 is hydrogen, halogen, CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety.
  • R 2 , Q, m, m', R x , and R y groups of formula V are as defined above and in various embodiments, classes and subclasses described herein both singly and in combination.
  • the m' group of formula V is 1-1000. In certain embodiments, the m' group of formula V is 0. In other embodiments, m' is 1-1000. According to other embodiments, m and m' are independently 10 to 100 repeat units. In still other embodiments, m is 1-20 repeat units and m' is 10-50 repeat units. [00225] According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula V, as described above, wherein said compounds have a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.0 to about 1.2. According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula V, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.03 to about 1.15.
  • PDI polydispersity index
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula V, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.10 to about 1.12. According to other embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula V having a PDI of less than about 1.10.
  • PDI polydispersity index
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula V, as described above, wherein n is about 225. In other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 300. In still other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 250. In still other embodiments, n is about 100 to about 150. In still other embodiments, n is about 400 to about 500.
  • a compound of formula V may be treated with a base to generate the free amine. Such methods are known to one of ordinary skill in the art and include those described herein.
  • the amino group of formula V may be further derivatized. Such derivatizations include protection, coupling, alkylation, and the like. In certain embodiments, the derivatization of the amino group of formula V incorporates an R a group as defined and described herein. Such compounds are of formula VI:
  • R x and R y are each independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y are different from each other;
  • Q is a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, - SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or -NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;
  • R 2 is halogen, N 3 , CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected hydroxyl, a protected aldehyde, a protected thiol, -NHR 4 , -N(R 4 ) 2 , -SR 4 , -O(CH 2 CH 2 O) q (CH 2 ) r R 5 , -OC(O)R 4 , or -OS(O) 2 R 4 ; q and r are each independently 0-4; R 2a is a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, -NHR 4 , -N(R 4 ) 2 , -NHC(O)R 4 , -NR 4 C(O)R 4 , -NHC(O)NHR 4 , -NHC(O)N(R 4 ) 2 , -NR 4 C(O)NHR 4 , -NR 4 C(O)N
  • R 5 is hydrogen, halogen, CN, a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, a protected aldehyde, a protected hydroxyl, a protected carboxylic acid, a protected thiol, or an optionally substituted group selected from aliphatic, a 5-8 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, an 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a detectable moiety.
  • R 2 , R 2a , Q, m, m', R x , and R y groups of formula VI are as defined above and in various embodiments, classes and subclasses described herein both singly and in combination.
  • the m' group of formula VI is 1-1000. In certain embodiments, the m' group of formula VI is 0. In other embodiments, m' is 1-1000. According to other embodiments, m and m' are independently 10 to 100 repeat units. In still other embodiments, m is 1-20 repeat units and m' is 10-50 repeat units. [00230] According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula VI, as described above, wherein said compounds have a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.0 to about 1.2. According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula VI, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.03 to about 1.15.
  • PDI polydispersity index
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula VI, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.10 to about 1.12. According to other embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula VI having a PDI of less than about 1.10.
  • PDI polydispersity index
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula VI, as described above, wherein n is about 225. In other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 300. In still other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 250. In still other embodiments, n is about 100 to about 150. In still other embodiments, n is about 400 to about 500.
  • a polymer macroinitiator having two terminal amine groups may be used in methods of the present invention. Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention provides a method of preparing a compound of formula VII:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and each A is a suitable acid anion, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
  • n 10-2500; each Q is independently a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1-12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, - SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, -SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or - NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and each A is a suitable acid anion,
  • the m' group of formula VII is O. In other embodiments, the m' group of formula VII is 1-1000.
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and each A is a suitable acid anion.
  • Each of the Q, A, ni, m', n, R x , and R y groups of formula VII are as defined above and in various embodiments, classes and subclasses described herein both singly and in combination.
  • the m' group of formula VII is 1-1000. In certain embodiments, the m' group of formula VII is 0. In other embodiments, m' is 1-1000. According to other embodiments, m and m' are independently 10 to 100 repeat units. In still other embodiments, m is 1-20 repeat units and m' is 10-50 repeat units. [00238] According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula VII, as described above, wherein said compounds have a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.0 to about 1.2. According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula VII, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.03 to about 1.15.
  • PDI polydispersity index
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula VII, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.10 to about 1.12. According to other embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula VII having a PDI of less than about 1.10.
  • PDI polydispersity index
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula
  • n is about 225. In other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 300. In still other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 250. In still other embodiments, n is about 100 to about 150. In still other embodiments, n is about 400 to about 500.
  • the m' group of formula VII is 0. In other embodiments, the m' group of formula VII is 1-1000.
  • each R 2a is independently a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, -NHR 4 , - N(R 4 ) 2 , -NHC(O)R 4 , -NR 4 C(O)R 4 , -NHC(O)NHR 4 , -NHC(O)N(R 4 ) 2 , - NR 4 C(O)NHR 4 , -NR 4 C(O)N(R 4 ) 2 , -NHC(O)OR 4 , -NR 4 C(O)OR 4 , -NR 4 C(O)OR 4 , -NHSO 2 R 4 , or
  • Each of the Q, R a , m, m', n, R x , and R y groups of formula VIII are as defined above and in various embodiments, classes and subclasses described herein both singly and in combination.
  • the m' group of formula VIII is 1-1000. In certain embodiments, the m' group of formula VIII is 0. In other embodiments, m' is 1-1000. According to other embodiments, m and m' are independently 10 to 100 repeat units. In still other embodiments, m is 1-20 repeat units and m' is 10-50 repeat units. [00244] According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula VIII, as described above, wherein said compounds have a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.0 to about 1.2. According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula VIII, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.03 to about 1.15.
  • PDI polydispersity index
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula VIII, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.10 to about 1.12. According to other embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula VIII having a PDI of less than about 1.10. [00245] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula VIII, as described above, wherein n is about 225. In other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 300. In still other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 250. In still other embodiments, n is about 100 to about 150. In still other embodiments, n is about 400 to about 500.
  • n 10-2500; each m and m-a is independently 1 to 1000; each m' and m'-a is independently 0 to 1000; each of R x , R xa , R y , and R ya is independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y and R xa and R ya are different from each other; each Q is independently a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, - SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, -SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-,
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and each A is a suitable acid anion, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
  • n 10-2500; each of PG 1 or PG 2 is hydrogen or a suitable amine protecting group, or PG 1 and PG 2 are taken together to form a cyclic amine protecting group, provided that at least one of PG 1 and PG 2 is a suitable amine protecting group; each Q is independently a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, - SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, -SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or - NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and A is a suitable acid anion,
  • PG 2 are taken together to form a cyclic amine protecting group, provided that at least one of PG and PG is a suitable amine protecting group; each Q is independently a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1- 12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, - SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, -SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC(O)NH-, or - NHC(O)O-, wherein:
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0- 4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and A is a suitable acid anion,
  • the m' and m'-a groups of formula IX are iindependently 1-1000. In certain embodiments, one or both of the m' and m'-a groups of formula IX are 0. According to other embodiments, m, m-a, m', and m'-a are independently 10 to 100 repeat units. In still other embodiments, m and m-a are independently 1-20 repeat units and m' and m'-a are independently 10-50 repeat units. [00249] According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula IX, as described above, wherein said compounds have a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.0 to about 1.2.
  • PDI polydispersity index
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula IX, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.03 to about 1.15. According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula IX, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.10 to about 1.12. According to other embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula IX having a PDI of less than about 1.10.
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula IX, as described above, wherein n is about 225. In other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 300. In still other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 250. In still other embodiments, n is about 100 to about 150. In still other embodiments, n is about 400 to about 500.
  • n 10-2500; each m and m-a is independently 1 to 1000; each m' and m'-a is independently 0 to 1000; each of R x , R xa , R y , and R ya is independently a natural or unnatural amino acid side-chain group, wherein R x and R y , and R xa and R ya ,are different from each other; each Q is independently a valence bond or a bivalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched C 1-12 alkylene chain, wherein 0-6 methylene units of Q are independently replaced by -Cy-, -O-, -NH-, -S-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)-, - SO-, -SO 2 -, -NHSO 2 -, -SO 2 NH-, -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, -OC
  • -Cy- is an optionally substituted 5-8 membered bivalent, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 8-10 membered bivalent saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl bicyclic ring having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; and each R 2a is independently a mono-protected amine, a di-protected amine, -NHR 4 , - N(R 4 ) 2 , -NHC(O)R 4 , -NR 4 C(O)R 4 , -NHC(O)NHR 4 , -NHC(O)N(R 4 ) 2 , - NR 4 C(O)NHR 4 , -NR 4 C(O)N(R 4 ) 2 , -NHC(O)OR 4 , -NR 4 C(O)OR 4 , -NHSO 2 R 4 ,
  • Each of the Q, R 2a , m, m-a, m', m'-a, n, R x , R xa , R y , and R ya groups of formula X are as defined above and in various embodiments, classes and subclasses described herein both singly and in combination.
  • the m' and m'-a groups of formula X are iindependently 1-1000. In certain embodiments, one or both of the m' and m'-a groups of formula X are 0. According to other embodiments, m, m-a, m', and m'-a are independently 10 to 100 repeat units. In still other embodiments, m and m-a are independently 1-20 repeat units and m' and m'-a are independently 10-50 repeat units. [00254] According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula X, as described above, wherein said compounds have a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.0 to about 1.2.
  • PDI polydispersity index
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula X, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index ("PDI") of about 1.03 to about 1.15. According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula X, as described above, wherein said compound has a polydispersity index (“PDI") of about 1.10 to about 1.12. According to other embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formula X having a PDI of less than about 1.10.
  • the present invention provides compounds of formula X, as described above, wherein n is about 225. In other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 300. In still other embodiments, n is about 200 to about 250. In still other embodiments, n is about 100 to about 150. In still other embodiments, n is about 400 to about 500.
  • the present invention provides multi-block copolymers, intermediates thereto, and methods of preparing the same.
  • Such multi-block copolymers are useful for a variety of purposes in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.
  • Such uses include using the multi-block copolymers of the present invention, in particular the PEG- poly (amino acid) block copolymers prepared by the methods of the present invention, in the process of PEGylating other molecules.
  • United States Patent 6,797,257 describes imaging agents prepared by PEGylating gadolinium oxide albumin microspheres.
  • United States Patents 6,790,823 and 6,764,853 describe the PEGylation of proteins by covalently bonding reactive groups, such as, free amines or carboxylates of amino acid residues.
  • Reactive groups are those to which an activated polyethylene glycol molecule may be bound.
  • the amino acid residues having a free amine group may include lysine residues and the N- terminal amino acid residues; those having a free carboxylate group may include aspartic acid residues, glutamic acid residues, and the C-terminal amino acid residue.
  • Sulfhydryl groups may also be used as a reactive group for attaching activated polyethylene glycol molecule(s).
  • another aspect of the present invention provides a method of conjugating a biomolecule with a compound of formula II, IP, III, or V.
  • the compounds of formula II, II', III, or V are prepared by the methods of the present invention, as described generally above and in classes and subclasses defined above and herein.
  • the present invention provides a method of conugating a protein, a plasmid, a dye, a peptide, a hydrogel, or a small molecule drug with a compound of formula II, II', HI, or V.
  • the compounds of formula II, II', III, or V are prepared by the methods of the present invention, as described generally above and in classes and subclasses defined above and herein.
  • Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a drug-polymer conjugate comprising a compound of formula II, II', III, or V.
  • the present invention provides a drug-polymer conjugate comprising a compound of formula II, II', III, or V prepared by the methods of the present invention, and a pharmaceutically active agent.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable compositions are provided, wherein these compositions comprise a drug-polymer conjugate as described herein, and optionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle. In certain embodiments, these compositions optionally further comprise one or more additional therapeutic agents.
  • Small molecule drugs suitable for conjugation with the compounds prepared by the methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, those having a functional group suitable for covalently linking to the PEG-poly(amino acid) block copolymers of the present invention prepared by the methods of the present invention.
  • Such drugs include, without limitation, chemotherapeutic agents or other anti-proliferative agents including alkylating drugs (mechlorethamine, chlorambucil, Cyclophosphamide, Melphalan, Ifosfamide), antimetabolites (Methotrexate), purine antagonists and pyrimidine antagonists (6-Mercaptopurine, 5-Fluorouracil, Cytarabile, Gemcitabine), spindle poisons (Vinblastine, Vincristine, Vinorelbine, Paclitaxel), podophyllotoxins (Etoposide, Irinotecan, Topotecan), antibiotics (Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Mitomycin), nitrosoureas (Carmustine, Lomustine), inorganic ions (Cisplatin, Carboplatin), enzymes (Asparaginase), angiogenesis inhibitors (Avastin) and hormones (Tamoxifen, Leuprolide, Flutamide, and Megestrol), G
  • MS Multiple Sclerosis
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of the present invention additionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, or vehicle, which, as used herein, includes any and all solvents, diluents, or other liquid vehicle, dispersion or suspension aids, surface active agents, isotonic agents, thickening or emulsifying agents, preservatives, solid binders, lubricants and the like, as suited to the particular dosage form desired.
  • a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, or vehicle which, as used herein, includes any and all solvents, diluents, or other liquid vehicle, dispersion or suspension aids, surface active agents, isotonic agents, thickening or emulsifying agents, preservatives, solid binders, lubricants and the like, as suited to the particular dosage form desired.
  • Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sixteenth Edition, E. W. Martin (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1980) discloses various carriers used in formulating pharmaceutically acceptable compositions
  • any conventional carrier medium is incompatible with the compounds of the invention, such as by producing any undesirable biological effect or otherwise interacting in a deleterious manner with any other component(s) of the pharmaceutically acceptable composition, its use is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention.
  • compositions of this invention can be administered to humans and other animals orally, rectally, parenterally, intracisternally, intravaginally, intraperitoneally, topically (as by powders, ointments, or drops), bucally, as an oral or nasal spray, or the like, depending on the severity of the infection being treated.
  • the compounds of the invention may be administered orally or parenterally at dosage levels of about 0.01 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg and preferably from about 1 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg, of subject body weight per day, one or more times a day, to obtain the desired therapeutic effect.
  • Amphiphilic multi-block copolymers can self-assemble in aqueous solution to form nano- and micron-sized structures, with applications from drug encapsulation to artificial viruses and cells.
  • these amphiphilic copolymers assemble by multi-molecular micellization when present in solution above the critical micelle concentration (CMC).
  • CMC critical micelle concentration
  • the hydrophobic poly(amino acid) portion or "block" of the copolymer collapses to form the micellar core, while the hydrophilic PEG block forms a peripheral corona and imparts water solubility.
  • poly(amino acid) blocks capable of chemical crosslinking e.g.
  • micellar assemblies may also be incorporated into the amphiphilic copolymer to further enhance the stability of micellar assemblies.
  • These core-shell polymer micelles can be tuned to encapsulate a variety of therapeutic molecules, including small molecule drugs, polypeptides, and polynucleotides.
  • Use of compounds of the present invention in micellar assemblies is described in detail in United States provisional application serial number 60/667,260, filed April 1, 2005, and United States provisional application serial number 60/741,780, filed December 1, 2005, the entirety of both of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. [00265]
  • the following examples are set forth. It will be understood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting this invention in any manner.
  • Phenylalanine NCA (0.98 g, 5.1 mmol) and t-butyl tyrosine NCA (0.34 g, 1.3 mmol) were placed in a 50 mL round bottom flask and dried under vacuum for 1 hour.
  • the two monomers were dissolved in anhydrous DMF (15 mL) then transferred to the reaction vessel containing the PEG-fr- ⁇ oly(aspartic acid) copolymer.
  • the reaction was stirred for 48 hours at 80 °C.
  • the solution was allowed to cool to room temperature, precipitated into diethyl ether (500 mL), filtered, and dried in vacuo.
  • Phenylalanine NCA (0.98 g, 5.1 mmol) and t-butyl tyrosine NCA (0.34 g, 1.3 mmol) were placed in a 50 mL round bottom flask and dried under vacuum for 1 hour.
  • the two monomers were dissolved in anhydrous DMF (15 mL) and transferred to the reaction vessel containing the PEG-b-poly(aspartic acid) copolymer.
  • the solution was stirred for 48 hours at 80 °C.
  • the solution was allowed to cool to room temperature, precipitated into diethyl ether (500 mL), filtered, and dried in vacuo.
  • 1 H NMR ⁇ , 400 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) 9.12, 8.05, 7.96, 7.44, 7.17, 6.94, 6.83, 6.59, 4.73, 4.51, 4.02, 3.54, 1.92, 1.47, 1.38, 1.21, 1.09.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)
  • Polyamides (AREA)
  • Graft Or Block Polymers (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Antibodies Or Antigens For Use As Internal Diagnostic Agents (AREA)
  • Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)
  • Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)
  • Macromolecular Compounds Obtained By Forming Nitrogen-Containing Linkages In General (AREA)
EP06717363A 2005-01-04 2006-01-04 Synthese aus hybridblockcopolymeren und verwendung Withdrawn EP1833958A4 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11003113A EP2348096A3 (de) 2005-01-04 2006-01-04 Synthese aus Hybridblockcopolymeren und Verwendungen davon.
EP09156824A EP2067801A1 (de) 2005-01-04 2006-01-04 Herstellung von Hybridblockcopolymeren

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US64117005P 2005-01-04 2005-01-04
PCT/US2006/000144 WO2006074202A2 (en) 2005-01-04 2006-01-04 Synthesis of hybrid block copolymers and uses thereof

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09156824A Division EP2067801A1 (de) 2005-01-04 2006-01-04 Herstellung von Hybridblockcopolymeren

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1833958A2 EP1833958A2 (de) 2007-09-19
EP1833958A4 true EP1833958A4 (de) 2009-01-14

Family

ID=36648126

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11003113A Withdrawn EP2348096A3 (de) 2005-01-04 2006-01-04 Synthese aus Hybridblockcopolymeren und Verwendungen davon.
EP06717363A Withdrawn EP1833958A4 (de) 2005-01-04 2006-01-04 Synthese aus hybridblockcopolymeren und verwendung
EP09156824A Withdrawn EP2067801A1 (de) 2005-01-04 2006-01-04 Herstellung von Hybridblockcopolymeren

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11003113A Withdrawn EP2348096A3 (de) 2005-01-04 2006-01-04 Synthese aus Hybridblockcopolymeren und Verwendungen davon.

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09156824A Withdrawn EP2067801A1 (de) 2005-01-04 2006-01-04 Herstellung von Hybridblockcopolymeren

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (2) US7601796B2 (de)
EP (3) EP2348096A3 (de)
JP (1) JP5086099B2 (de)
AU (1) AU2006204067B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2594240C (de)
IL (1) IL184384A (de)
MX (1) MX2007008195A (de)
NZ (3) NZ556290A (de)
WO (1) WO2006074202A2 (de)

Families Citing this family (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5086099B2 (ja) * 2005-01-04 2012-11-28 インテザイン テクノロジーズ， インコーポレイテッド ハイブリッドブロックコポリマーの合成およびそれらの使用
CA2597378A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Intezyne Technologies, Incorporated Synthesis of homopolymers and block copolymers
KR101288729B1 (ko) * 2005-04-01 2013-07-23 인터자인 테크놀로지스, 인코포레이티드 약물 전달용 중합체성 마이셀
EP2010477A4 (de) * 2006-04-27 2012-05-30 Intezyne Technologies Inc Poly (ethylenglykol) mit chemisch ungleichen endgruppen
US8212083B2 (en) 2006-04-27 2012-07-03 Intezyne Technologies, Inc. Heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) containing acid-labile amino protecting groups and uses thereof
US8066824B2 (en) * 2006-07-07 2011-11-29 Intezyne Technologies, Inc. Covalent modification of metal surfaces
US8188046B2 (en) 2006-10-16 2012-05-29 University Of South Florida Amyloid beta peptides and methods of use
WO2008106657A2 (en) * 2007-03-01 2008-09-04 Intezyne Technologies, Inc. Encapsulated amyloid-beta peptides
ES2357354T3 (es) 2007-04-30 2011-04-25 Intezyne Technologies Inc. Micelas híbridas de copolímero en bloque con estereoquímica mixta para encapsulación de agentes hidrófobos.
US8258190B2 (en) * 2007-04-30 2012-09-04 Intezyne Technologies, Inc. Encapsulated contrast agents
US20090047517A1 (en) * 2007-06-27 2009-02-19 Francesco Caruso Multilayer polymer films
WO2009134984A1 (en) 2008-04-30 2009-11-05 Intezyne Technolgies Inc. Synthesis of hybrid block copolymers from difluoroacetate ammonium salts
US8524783B2 (en) 2009-04-30 2013-09-03 Intezyne Technologies, Incorporated Polymer micelles containing anthracylines for the treatment of cancer
US8524784B2 (en) 2009-04-30 2013-09-03 Intezyne Technologies, Incorporated Polymer micelles containing anthracylines for the treatment of cancer
US20100292432A1 (en) * 2009-04-30 2010-11-18 Intezyne Technologies, Incorporated Polymers for polynucleotide encapsulation
JP2013507504A (ja) 2009-10-16 2013-03-04 ビーエイエスエフ・ソシエタス・エウロパエア ポリイソブテンブロックおよびオリゴアミドから構成された熱可塑性エラストマーとしてのブロックコポリマー
WO2011130577A1 (en) * 2010-04-14 2011-10-20 Intezyne Technologies, Incorporated Controlled polyplex assembly
US8609146B2 (en) 2011-09-19 2013-12-17 Intezyne Technologies, Inc. Multi-block copolymers for the preparation of stabilized micelles
NZ700397A (en) 2012-04-11 2016-02-26 Intezyne Technologies Inc Block copolymers for stable micelles
US9944752B2 (en) 2012-04-11 2018-04-17 Intezyne Technologies, Inc. Block copolymers for stable micelles
JP2017506286A (ja) * 2013-12-07 2017-03-02 ノボマー， インコーポレイテッド ナノろ過膜および使用の方法
US10143689B2 (en) 2017-02-08 2018-12-04 Interzyne Technologies, Inc. SN-38 loaded iron crosslinked micelle and methods thereof
CN107840952B (zh) * 2017-10-24 2019-05-24 中山大学 一种pH与还原双重敏感性的纳米囊泡及其制备方法和应用
CN113045752A (zh) * 2021-03-25 2021-06-29 电子科技大学 一种温敏性聚合物及其制备方法以及温敏性水凝胶
US11806405B1 (en) 2021-07-19 2023-11-07 Zeno Management, Inc. Immunoconjugates and methods
WO2023014875A2 (en) * 2021-08-04 2023-02-09 Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York Method of synthesizing a mucin and product thereof

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4434985A1 (de) * 1994-09-30 1996-04-04 Basf Ag Pfropfprodukte aus Polyethern und Maleinsäureanhydrid
EP1123942A2 (de) * 2000-02-10 2001-08-16 Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. Amino-Gruppe enthaltender Polymer (Salz) und dessen Herstellungsverfahren
WO2002045689A1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2002-06-13 Samyang Corporation Compositions for sustained delivery of hydrophobic drugs and process for the preparation thereof
US6413306B1 (en) * 1999-10-07 2002-07-02 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Pigment dispersions containing ABC-block polymer dispersant
US20030147958A1 (en) * 2002-01-29 2003-08-07 Cheol-Hee Ahn Biodegradable multi-block copolymers of poly(amino acid)s and poly(ethylene glycol) for the delivery of bioactive agents
CN1440995A (zh) * 2003-03-28 2003-09-10 中国科学院长春应用化学研究所 聚乙二醇－脂肪族聚酯－聚氨基酸三元嵌段共聚物及制法

Family Cites Families (35)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5238598A (en) * 1975-09-23 1977-03-25 Toray Ind Inc Modified polyamide compositions
US5650270A (en) 1982-02-01 1997-07-22 Northeastern University Molecular analytical release tags and their use in chemical analysis
US4650750A (en) 1982-02-01 1987-03-17 Giese Roger W Method of chemical analysis employing molecular release tag compounds
US5516931A (en) 1982-02-01 1996-05-14 Northeastern University Release tag compounds producing ketone signal groups
US4709016A (en) 1982-02-01 1987-11-24 Northeastern University Molecular analytical release tags and their use in chemical analysis
JPH05117385A (ja) * 1991-10-31 1993-05-14 Res Dev Corp Of Japan ブロツク共重合体の製造法、ブロツク共重合体及び水溶性高分子抗癌剤
KR940003548U (ko) 1992-08-14 1994-02-21 김형술 세탁물 건조기
JP3268913B2 (ja) * 1992-10-27 2002-03-25 日本化薬株式会社 高分子担体
FR2708932B1 (fr) 1993-08-10 1995-11-10 Flamel Tech Sa Procédé de préparation de polyaminoacides.
FR2732218B1 (fr) 1995-03-28 1997-08-01 Flamel Tech Sa Particules a base de polyaminoacide(s) et susceptibles d'etre utilisees comme vecteurs de principe(s) actif(s) et leurs procedes de preparation
CA2229068A1 (en) 1995-08-10 1997-02-20 Masao Kato Block polymer having functional groups on its both ends
JP2694923B2 (ja) * 1995-08-21 1997-12-24 科学技術振興事業団 水溶性高分子化医薬製剤
JP3220069B2 (ja) * 1997-09-26 2001-10-22 ナノキャリア株式会社 薬物含有ポリマーミセルおよびその医薬製剤
US6686446B2 (en) 1998-03-19 2004-02-03 The Regents Of The University Of California Methods and compositions for controlled polypeptide synthesis
US6790823B1 (en) 1998-04-23 2004-09-14 Amgen Inc. Compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases
JPH11335267A (ja) 1998-05-27 1999-12-07 Nano Career Kk 水難溶性薬物を含有するポリマーミセル系
US6333396B1 (en) 1998-10-20 2001-12-25 Enzon, Inc. Method for targeted delivery of nucleic acids
FR2786098B1 (fr) 1998-11-20 2003-05-30 Flamel Tech Sa Particules a base de polyaminoacide(s) et susceptibles d'etre utilisees comme vecteurs de principe(s) actif(s), suspension colloidale les comprenant et leurs procedes de fabrication
ATE417071T1 (de) * 1999-05-19 2008-12-15 Nof Corp Polymer, in vivo abbaubares material und dessen verwendung
JP4659937B2 (ja) * 1999-11-19 2011-03-30 ナノキャリア株式会社 コア−シェル構造のポリイオンコンプレックスミセル
PT1329221E (pt) * 2000-09-26 2006-10-31 Toudai Tlo Ltd Micelas polimericas contendo cisplatina encarcerada nas mesmas e sua utilizacao
EP1337563B1 (de) * 2000-10-06 2006-12-20 Carnegie-Mellon University Polymerisationsverfahren für ionische monomere
FR2814951B1 (fr) 2000-10-06 2003-01-17 Flamel Tech Sa Suspension colloidale de particules submicroniques de vectorisation de principes actifs hydrophiles (insuline) et leur mode de preparation
FR2822834B1 (fr) 2001-04-02 2005-02-25 Flamel Tech Sa Suspension colloidale de nanoparticules a base de copolymeres amphiphile pour la vectorisation de principes actifs et leur mode de preparation
US20040126900A1 (en) 2001-04-13 2004-07-01 Barry Stephen E High affinity peptide- containing nanoparticles
US6797257B2 (en) 2001-06-26 2004-09-28 The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois Paramagnetic polymerized protein microspheres and methods of preparation thereof
JP2004018494A (ja) 2002-06-19 2004-01-22 Japan Science & Technology Corp ブロック共重合体−薬剤複合体の製造法
JP4535229B2 (ja) 2003-05-08 2010-09-01 国立大学法人 東京大学 ポリエチレングリコール−ポリカチオンブロック共重合体
JP4763459B2 (ja) 2003-05-29 2011-08-31 株式会社東京大学Ｔｌｏ 安定化高分子ミセル
JP2006199590A (ja) 2003-09-04 2006-08-03 Nano Career Kk 水溶性の塩基性薬物内包ナノ粒子含有組成物
JP4920593B2 (ja) 2004-10-25 2012-04-18 インテザイン テクノロジーズ， インコーポレイテッド ヘテロ二官能性ポリ（エチレングリコール）およびそれらの使用
JP5086099B2 (ja) 2005-01-04 2012-11-28 インテザイン テクノロジーズ， インコーポレイテッド ハイブリッドブロックコポリマーの合成およびそれらの使用
KR101288729B1 (ko) 2005-04-01 2013-07-23 인터자인 테크놀로지스, 인코포레이티드 약물 전달용 중합체성 마이셀
WO2006115293A1 (ja) * 2005-04-22 2006-11-02 The University Of Tokyo ｐＨ応答性高分子ミセルの調製に用いる新規ブロック共重合体及びその製造法
DE102005020815B4 (de) * 2005-05-04 2007-05-10 Applied Materials Gmbh & Co. Kg Anordnung für die Regelung der Elektronenstrahlleistung einer Elektronenstrahlkanone

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4434985A1 (de) * 1994-09-30 1996-04-04 Basf Ag Pfropfprodukte aus Polyethern und Maleinsäureanhydrid
US6413306B1 (en) * 1999-10-07 2002-07-02 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Pigment dispersions containing ABC-block polymer dispersant
EP1123942A2 (de) * 2000-02-10 2001-08-16 Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. Amino-Gruppe enthaltender Polymer (Salz) und dessen Herstellungsverfahren
WO2002045689A1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2002-06-13 Samyang Corporation Compositions for sustained delivery of hydrophobic drugs and process for the preparation thereof
US20030147958A1 (en) * 2002-01-29 2003-08-07 Cheol-Hee Ahn Biodegradable multi-block copolymers of poly(amino acid)s and poly(ethylene glycol) for the delivery of bioactive agents
CN1440995A (zh) * 2003-03-28 2003-09-10 中国科学院长春应用化学研究所 聚乙二醇－脂肪族聚酯－聚氨基酸三元嵌段共聚物及制法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2594240A1 (en) 2006-07-13
JP5086099B2 (ja) 2012-11-28
EP2348096A2 (de) 2011-07-27
US7601796B2 (en) 2009-10-13
JP2008527092A (ja) 2008-07-24
EP1833958A2 (de) 2007-09-19
US20110021718A1 (en) 2011-01-27
NZ598887A (en) 2013-06-28
US20060172914A1 (en) 2006-08-03
WO2006074202A2 (en) 2006-07-13
AU2006204067A1 (en) 2006-07-13
US8268936B2 (en) 2012-09-18
IL184384A (en) 2013-01-31
MX2007008195A (es) 2008-02-22
EP2348096A3 (de) 2011-11-09
CA2594240C (en) 2013-10-15
NZ588064A (en) 2012-04-27
WO2006074202A3 (en) 2007-11-22
EP2067801A1 (de) 2009-06-10
AU2006204067B2 (en) 2011-07-07
IL184384A0 (en) 2007-10-31
NZ556290A (en) 2010-11-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8268936B2 (en) Synthesis of hybrid block copolymers and uses thereof
EP1807436B1 (de) Heterobifunktionelles poly(ethylenglykol) und seine verwendungen
EP1848460A2 (de) Synthese von homopolymeren und block-copolymeren
EP2359862B1 (de) Mizellen aus hybriden Blockcopolymeren mit gemischter Stereochemie zur Enkapsulation von hydrophoben Stoffen
WO2007127440A2 (en) Heterofunctional poly(ethylene glycol) containing acid-labile amino protecting groups and uses thereof
CA2650035C (en) Poly (ethylene glycol) containing chemically disparate endgroups
Wang et al. Synthesis and characterization of macroinitiator‐amino terminated PEG and poly (γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate)‐PEO‐poly (γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate) triblock copolymer
US20090286938A1 (en) Synthesis of hybrid block copolymers from difluoroacetate ammonium salts
WO2013106097A1 (en) Poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives for click chemistry

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20070704

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU

R17D Deferred search report published (corrected)

Effective date: 20071122

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20081216

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: C08L 51/08 20060101ALI20081210BHEP

Ipc: C08L 53/00 20060101ALI20081210BHEP

Ipc: C08F 283/06 20060101ALI20081210BHEP

Ipc: C08F 293/00 20060101ALI20081210BHEP

Ipc: C11D 17/00 20060101AFI20060721BHEP

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20090416

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20120801